Industry body Homes for Scotland has voiced its concerns in relation to new mortgage figures that have been released. It claims that the figures only serve to "reinforce" concerns on jobs and investment over Help to Buy funding within the sector.

The latest statistics revealed that there has been an increase in Scotland's house purchase lending, but Homes for Scotland has said it has highlighted the impact the Scottish Government's Help to Buy scheme. In turn, this has caused the organisation to repeat its concerns regarding the current funding situation – which has seen the money for this year run out in just a few months.

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Philip Hogg, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, said: "The Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme has proved an unqualified success, generating over 4,300 sales and reservations since launch, and no doubt making a major contribution to today's very positive lending figures.

"Frustratingly, however, given the very clear demand that exists, funding for this year has already run out. This has significantly impacted sales, removing the confidence and certainty builders need to invest in much needed housing development."

He continued: "Rather than building on the momentum of last week's housing figures showing the first increase in supply in six years, looking ahead we fear a move backwards. And for an industry where every new home built supports four jobs, this is a serious concern.

"It is therefore imperative that the Scottish Government work with the industry to achieve a quick resolution to this budget gap."

(JP/CD)