As the UK's new coalition government takes office, home building industry body Homes for Scotland has called for a fresh approach to removing the main barriers to recovery in the housing market.

These barriers being significantly tightened mortgage lending criteria and reduced loan to value ratios particularly affecting credit-worthy First Time Buyers.

The organisation's membership provides 95% of all homes built for sale in Scotland as well as an increasingly significant proportion of affordable housing.

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Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jonathan Fair said: "Housing supply has been devastated over the last couple of years. Looking forward, we must ensure that Scotland has the modern homes it needs in locations that foster vibrant, sustainable communities.

"We believe this is a common goal shared across the political spectrum but to achieve it we need firm and urgent action to drive financial market recovery. Only by doing so will our industry be able to help meet people's aspirations to own their own home and provide access to the full range of quality housing options that this and future generations deserve.

"We therefore hope a new government at UK level may bring fresh impetus to the table, recognising the importance of a sector which is so crucial to our social, economic and environmental wellbeing. To press this message home we will be seeking meetings with Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander together with his Treasury colleagues."

(GK/BMcC)