The Scottish government has allocated a further £24 million to help 20 councils build houses for rent.

This latest round of grants will provide an extra 954 homes, taking the total to nearly 2,300 new houses across 22 local authorities.

The government's total financial allocation for new council homes this year now stands at almost £50 million and is estimated to support 3,000 jobs.

Official figures show that the number of housing association and local authority homes completed in Scotland in 2008-09 reached the highest level since the mid 1990s.

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Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil, said: "I have been heartened by the manner in which local authorities across the country have worked with this government to reverse decades of decline in council house building.

"Increasing council house building will add to the record number of affordable homes being built across Scotland this year, which helps keep the economy moving by safeguarding jobs and supporting the construction industry.

"And record funding this year of £644 million will enable a record number of starts by councils and housing associations."

Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive, Homes for Scotland, said: "With the UK government's Pre-Budget Report failing to include any specific measures to help maintain activity within our fragile housing industry, today's announcement is welcome news which will keep vital skills and trades employed in our sector and help retain capacity."

(GK/KMcA)