The SNP has failed to build enough homes to help thousands of Scots onto the housing ladder, the Scottish Conservatives have said today - as the party highlights its own plans to kick-start a "housebuilding revolution".
During a visit to the East Broomlands M&J Ballantyne development in Kelso today, Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, said the SNP needed to stop constructing its "unwanted" case for separation - and instead focus on a plan to build more homes for families.
Official Scottish Government figures show that the number of houses completed in Scotland last year fell under the SNP - and is still 10,000 short of the annual rate the nationalists inherited when they came to power in 2007.
The total number of completions in 2015-16, according to the Scottish Government’s own figures, is 15,854 – down from 16,209 the previous year.
It comes as the Scottish Conservatives highlighted their own proposals on how to boost housebuilding in both the public and private sectors during a visit with local MSP John Lamont.
The party is calling for:
• A 10 per cent year-on-year increase in new house completions across all sectors so that by 2020, 25,000 new homes are being built every year – back to pre-crash levels.
• Mid-market rent-lock models for new build and existing properties in co-operation with the private sector.
• More housebuilding on brownfield land – with new brownfield land registers and a presumption that such housing developments should be backed.
• More incentives for smaller builders, not just large construction firms.
• A new “Grand Designs” plan to help self-builders fulfil their dream of building their own home.
• A new “Help to Rebuild” programme to ensure Scotland’s 34,000 unoccupied homes are made habitable.
• Protection for Housing Associations’ investment rate and ensuring they continue to attract investment.
Speaking after the visit, Ruth Davidson said: “Quite simply, when it comes to housing, this SNP government has failed to deliver.
“According to its own figures, the number of new houses completed in Scotland fell last year – and is still 10,000 a year below the levels it inherited in 2007.
“That failure means that, for thousands of young Scots today, their only hope of owning a home is if the Bank of Mum and Dad can pay for it. It also means not enough social housing for people who need it.
“Instead of building yet another unwanted campaign for independence, it’s time the SNP came up with a plan to building homes for families – in both the public and private sectors. This needs to happen now. The Scottish Government’s budget plans for next year will follow this week’s Autumn Statement.
“We’ve set out our plans – let’s see the SNP set out theirs.”
John Lamont MSP said: “One of the issues raised with me time and again is the difficulties people in the Borders face in trying to get access to local affordable housing.
“Too often, families are stuck renting because of a lack of affordable alternatives or they are forced to move far away from work and friends in order to find somewhere to live.
“As well as investing in social housing, we need to do more to incentivise community and private developers to invest and to provide affordable housing.
“This is why these plans to incentives small builders, better develop brownfield land and help those wanting to build their own homes would be great for the Borders.”