August 21 2008

The Scottish Government have announced that up to £100 million in funding could be brought forward from the Affordable Housing Investment Programme and local authorities budget of 2010-11.

The move follows vociferous lobbying by Housing Associations for the government to release more money to combat the housing downturn.  The move will boost construction activity and affordable homes but wont solve the problems of either.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "First, the Scottish economy continues to show encouraging signs of resilience. Second, Scotland has a Government that, despite its limited economic powers, will take decisive action to strengthen our performance and prospects.  We will not simply sit back and wait for conditions to get better."

Opponents have however dismissed the move, pointing out that housing association budgets had earlier been cut by £90 million.

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