Caution urged as new-build statistics show increase

Scotland’s homebuilding industry is cautious about latest statistics showing a significant increase in new-build completions.

Philip Hogg, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, said the April to June figures showed the impact of the Help to Buy (Scotland) shared equity scheme.

Sales had dropped off since funding ran out in July and the industry has had to adjust production.

He continued: “It is our view that this will be reflected in the statistics for the later part of the year and we fear that overall activity levels for 2014 will be broadly flat.”

Scotland would not have enough new homes to meet its housing need and more pressure would be placed on the overburdened rental sector.

Details are awaited of the allocation of £125 million for housing supply announced in the draft budget and he said Scotland needs greater commitment from politicians if people are to have access to the housing options they deserve.