Scotland’s three-year housing budget increased by £200m in 2012, while additional investment saw a 30% increase on plans set out in the 2011 Spending Review.

The allocation of last month’s £50m of housing consequentials has yet to be announced.

Finance Secretary John Swinney was speaking ahead of a stage one debate on the government’s Budget Bill.

He said: "The Scottish government has been absolutely clear that we aim to deliver at least 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this parliament and this funding will help ensure this commitment will be met.

"Despite Westminster cuts to our capital budgets, the Scottish Government is delivering just as much new social housing - and more new affordable housing - as in the period up to 2007 when budgets were rising every year.

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"The extra £50m is our fourth tranche of extra housing spending announced over the last year, and is in addition to announcements made in February, June and September. The overall increase totals almost £200m over the spending review period – demonstrating that where we have an opportunity to invest, this Government does exactly that.

"We are investing money to create and maintain jobs. Increased support for affordable homes will provide a much-needed boost to the construction industry as well as improving the lives of the families who live in them. We are providing an immediate capital stimulus through support for shovel ready projects and we are helping businesses with a tax relief package worth over £540m this year.

"This has to be seen against a 26% real terms cut by the UK Coalition Government to Scotland’s capital budget in a failed attempt to reduce public sector borrowing.

"We have listened to the Scottish Parliament by bringing forward further investment in housing and we will continue to work with all parties to deliver a budget for growth."

(IT)