Housing crisis the ‘defining failure’ of Scottish Government, says Sarwar

Scotland’s housing crisis is one of the “defining failures” of the SNP Government, Labour’s Anas Sarwar has said.

Speaking just over a year after ministers formally declared a “housing emergency”, the Scottish Labour leader insisted his party would “get Scotland building” and deliver the “modern, affordable homes” the country needs.

Mr Sarwar hit out at the Scottish Government after figures showed 6,440 properties were approved under the affordable housing supply programme in 2024 – 48% lower than the 12,478 homes approved in 2018.

The Scottish Government has set the target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, but a Government review of the affordable housing supply programme published earlier this month stated the “sector is generally pessimistic about the ability to meet the target given pressures on budgets, rising costs and concerns over capacity”.

Labour has also raised concerns over the rise in average rents, which have increased 5.1% over the 12 months to April to stand at £999 a month.

For buyers, the average price of houses for sale has increased 4.6% over the year to March 2025, to £186,000.

Ahead of a visit to a construction firm in South Lanarkshire, he said: “Rents are soaring, home ownership is being pushed out of reach for many, and over 10,000 kids are stuck in temporary accommodation without a home of their own.

“This will go down in history as one of the defining failures of this SNP Government, along with their reckless mismanagement of our NHS and the decline they have overseen in our schools.

“It’s time for a new direction and only Scottish Labour can deliver it.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have a strong track record in affordable housing by supporting the delivery of more than 136,000 affordable homes since 2007, with more than 97,000 of those being for social rent.

“That is 47% more per head of population than England and 73% more than Wales.

“As set out to Parliament this week, the Scottish Government has taken decisive action to tackle the housing emergency.

“We know there is more to do and that’s why we remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in our rural and island communities, backed by £768 million of investment this year.”