HOUSING CASH COUNTERS PRIVATE SECTOR SLOW DOWN

HOUSING CASH COUNTERS PRIVATE SECTOR SLOW DOWN

Welcoming the announcement of a new round of bidding for £25 million of
funding to build new council houses SNP MSP Tricia Marwick said the
investment in council and affordable housing was helping to counter the
slow down in private sector house building.

Ms Marwick said:

“This money is a welcome investment in council housing, continuing the
SNP’s drive to ensure there is good quality affordable housing available
to all who need it.

“The SNP Government’s well timed investment in new build social housing is
helping the construction industry weather the tough times as Labour’s
recession hits the private housing sector hard.

“There are signs that private construction is beginning to turn around but
it is clear that without the sustained investment from the public sector,
now set to be more than the £1.6 billion originally promised by the SNP
the industry would be finding the tough times even harder.

“It remains deeply disappointing that given the opportunity to accelerate
£350 million of investment which could have gone straight to the housing
sector Labour chose to cut budgets instead. Risking recovery and damaging
Scotland’s prospects.

“With the up coming general election voters across Scotland have the
opportunity to vote for politicians who clung on to that vital cash
investment or local champions who will fight hard for the funding to
ensure Scotland has the homes it needs.”