Scotland builds more affordable homes

The number of affordable homes built in Scotland has risen by a fifth in a year, while more than 80,000 have been completed since 2007.

Scotland’s chief statistician released figures showing 18,182 new houses were finished in the oneyear period measured until June – an overall rise of 4 per cent.

Of the total number of new builds, 8,767 are considered affordable, up 21 per cent on the 7,271 completions in the previous year.

There were 5,340 social rented homes delivered – a yearly increase of 864 homes. There were also 19,903 new houses under construction – a fall of 1,231 homes (6 per cent) on the 20,534 previous starts.

Private-led starts fell by 1,593 homes (11 per cent).

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said the figures were a “significant achievement”.