Homes For Scotland has described the increase in home registrations as "encouraging", but added that supply-side issues need to be addressed if output is to meet the housing need.

The organisation was responding to figures released by the National House Building Council, which revealed a 27% rise in the number of new homes registered in Scotland for the months August to October 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.

Commenting, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, Philip Hogg, said: "Following the recent launch of the Help to Buy (Scotland) shared equity initiative, which is already making a big impact, and a choice of 95% mortgage guarantee schemes now also available, buyers have a range of solutions open to them to help meet their individual needs and home ownership aspirations.

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"Such measures are clearly contributing to the growth demonstrated by today's figures. These are very encouraging but it is important to put them into context given that housing output in Scotland has fallen over the last five or so years to its lowest level since 1947.

"Whilst we hope this upturn in activity is sustainable and continues into 2014, major supply-side issues such as land supply and skills shortages will need to be tackled if output is to increase to the levels required to meet housing need."

(JP/CD)