Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has unveiled a £62m funding boost to help people across Scotland get onto the housing ladder.

The funding for the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme will be available over the next two years for eligible buyers on low to moderate incomes who are looking to buy their first home.

This increases the overall investment in the scheme over the next two years to £90m.

Eligible buyers will be able to purchase a home by paying a majority share in it, while the Scottish Government provides the remaining amount which is secured under a security on the home.

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The announcement comes after plans were unveiled last week to end the country's Right to Buy scheme, and will see the social housing stock safeguarded for future generations, protecting up to 15,000 social houses from sale over the next decade.

Mrs Burgess said: "People in Scotland who should rightly be able to afford a mortgage are still facing real challenges buying a home.

"This overall investment of £90 million over two years demonstrates our commitment to do all we can to help credit worthy buyers to buy their first home.

"Over the past four years this scheme has helped over 2,700 people on low to moderate incomes buy a home. And it has reduced pressure on the social rented sector through freeing up properties and reducing demand expressed through housing waiting lists.

"Last week we announced the end of Right to Buy – a decision that will help to protect social housing for future generations to enjoy. This Government remains absolutely committed to helping people buy a home and our shared equity schemes are helping - and will continue to help - thousands of people get a foot on the property ladder."

(JP/CD)