New changes to the maximum value of a property eligible for Help to Buy Scotland will help more families onto the housing ladder, housing minister Kevin Stewart has said.

The Scottish Government has announced today that the price cap on properties eligible for the scheme will remain at £200,000 in 2018/19.

The Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme helps eligible householders buy a new build home from a participating builder by contributing up to a maximum 15% equity stake in the property.

The maximum property value eligible for the scheme will be £200,000 from 1 April 2017 and will remain at this level until March 2019 – rather than a planned reduction to £175,000 which was due to be introduced on 1 April 2018.

Mr Stewart said that the changes would keep the scheme open to as many people across as many geographic locations as possible.

He said: “We want to help people get on or up the housing ladder and Scotland’s Help to Buy scheme gives a helping hand to thousands of people. We want to make home ownership as accessible as possible – with a particular focus on helping people to buy affordable new-build homes.

“We know, however, that prices of property – and what constitutes affordable - can fluctuate massively across different parts of the country.

“That is why I have decided to retain the price cap on homes eligible for the scheme at £200,000 over the next two financial years. This will be important in helping people own their own home across urban, rural and small towns in Scotland.

“I hope house builders will see this as a strong sign from this Government that we are committed to playing our part in delivering new, high-quality homes of all tenures – and helping people to access them.”

Nicola Barclay, chief executive of industry body Homes for Scotland, said: “Maintaining the £200,000 price threshold is great news for those looking to buy a new home as it provides for greater confidence and choice of property as well as allowing people more time to look and save for a deposit.

“It is also crucially important for home builders active in this area of the market as it offers more certainty for planning, investment and sales purposes.”