Housing facts

I refer to the article “Help to buy scheme failing those who need it most” (3 July) and would point to the fact that the figures within refer to the English shared equity scheme and not that of Scotland.

Help to Buy here has very different criteria, applying only to home values up to a maximum of £200,000. Applicants are also means tested for eligibility.

Latest figures show that more than 10,000 households in Scotland have now purchased a home through the scheme since it was launched. This has not only supported thousands of jobs and contributed £1 billion in Gross Value Added to the economy, it has also helped relieve pressure on the public sector, with around five per cent of purchasers having moved from social rented housing and five per cent having been on a social housing waiting list.

With current housing completions still over 36 per cent down on pre-recession levels, Help to Buy (Scotland) has proven vital in providing confidence and certainty for customers, as well as our economy in terms of business planning and investment decisions.