NEW MONEY FROM WESTMINSTER NEEDED FOR HOUSING - HOMES FOR SCOTLAND.

NEW MONEY FROM WESTMINSTER NEEDED FOR HOUSING - HOMES FOR SCOTLAND.

SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan – vice-convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee – has welcomed a statement from Homes for Scotland calling for “new money to be allocated from Westminster in the forthcoming Budget as part of a UK-wide investment programme.” In a statement Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, the organisation which represents companies building 95% of new homes built for sale in Scotland, said: “Homes across all tenures are needed in order to address the dramatic decline in overall housing supply resulting from the credit crunch. However, the scale of this challenge requires new money to be allocated from Westminster in the forthcoming Budget as part of a UK-wide investment programme.” The statement follows an announcement by the SNP Government which will see £644 million invested in homes for rent or low cost ownership across Scotland Over the next twelve months. Commenting Dr Allan said: “The SNP Government is investing record levels of funding into affordable housing across Scotland. Along with fast-tracking around £120 million in affordable housing investment cash the Scottish Government is acting swiftly to face the challenges of these economic times. "The SNP is ensuring Scotland can deliver much needed affordable housing to safeguard jobs, support the construction industry and to keep the economy moving. “However with Alistair Darling’s next budget approaching we need to see reciprocal action from the Westminster Government to provide similar assistance. “It is therefore welcome that Homes for Scotland are voicing support for that investment to be released by Westminster. “As they say it is imperative that homes across all sectors are built in order to address the effects of the credit crunch. “With Labour threatening £500m a year in cuts instead of promising much-needed investment it all the more important that pressure is put on Westminster to think again.”

This story is also closely followed by Mr Gareth Johnston of Braemar and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine SNP Branch. More info- Homes for Scotland represents the country’s home building industry which, prior to the onset of the credit crunch,: - was the largest source of private investment in Scotland and the largest user of the planning system - built 20,000 new homes, contributed £6bn to the economy and directly impacted the employment of 100,000 people (2007 figures)