SCOTLAND LEADS ON HOUSING INVESTMENT AS UK CHANCELLOR HAS TO FOLLOW.

SCOTLAND LEADS ON HOUSING INVESTMENT AS UK CHANCELLOR HAS TO FOLLOW.

HOUSING MARKET NEEDS REAL INVESTMENT IN UK BUDGET

The SNP today (Tuesday) pressed for radical steps in Alistair Darling's budget this week so it could deliver new investment in affordable housing. The call came from Glasgow SNP MP John Mason who also highlighted the steps already taken in Scotland to support the housing industry and homeowners through the recession.

Reports ahead of the UK budget claim Alasdair Darling will introduce a £1 billion support package which will replicate schemes already available in Scotland. The SNP are supporting Shelter and other housing organisations in calling for a multi-billion investment in affordable housing and are calling for VAT on building repairs and improvements to be reduced to 5%.

The SNP Government is already supporting housing through the recession with;

- an additional £25 million investment in council housing taking the total to £50 million was announced last Friday, supporting 3000 jobs with the highest levels of spending in 30 years.

- a record £644 million for the affordable housing investment programme this year
- a £35 million Homeowners Support Fund which helps those who cannot access support anywhere else to stay in their own homes through the enhanced Mortgage to Rent and new Mortgage to Shared Equity schemes.

- extension of the open market shared equity pilot to cover the whole of Scotland, backed by £60 million

Glasgow East MP John Mason said:

“The SNP Government is listening to housing professionals, and is already ahead of the game in Scotland by ensuring support schemes are in place for those facing mortgage difficulty and that local authorities and housing associations have access to the funds they need to build new social housing.

“Support for homeowners has been matched with support for the industry with £100 million of capital brought forward to allow local authorities and housing associations to buy unsold homes for social housing, to complete stalled developments and to keep the industry moving and workers employed.

“What is needed now from the Chancellor is not catch up, or a re-packaging of existing schemes but genuine and serious investment in affordable housing.

“Across the UK Shelter and other housing organisations are calling for a multi-billion package that could boost Scotland’s housing investment by £600 million.

“We’ve got what it takes to tackle Scotland’s housing problems. In the face of recession continued investment in public spending and public support for the housing industry is vital – the Chancellor must recognise that and support affordable housing with real and radical investment plans.”