Investment into affordable housing in Scotland since April 2011 has surpassed the £1bn mark, First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed.

He added that the investment supports 8,000 jobs per year of the five-year parliamentary term.

Minister Salmond said: "Despite challenging economic times and Westminster cuts to budgets, we plan to spend over £1.7 billion to deliver our target of 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this Parliament.

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"Housing is, and will remain, a priority for this Government. We will take action that is right for Scotland's economy and housing market, and we will also help people to access home ownership, where it is sensible and sustainable.

"Unlike Westminster, we're prioritising social rent, and abolishing Right to Buy. The findings detailed in the Institute for Fiscal Studies report illustrates the gulf in social housing investment between Scotland and the rest of the UK."

The recent report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies found that the Scottish Government spends 85% more per head on social housing, compared to England and Wales.

(JP/MH)