Figures from the Scottish Government show that, over the period 2007-08 to 2019-20, the Scottish Government’s supply of affordable housing per 10k population has been 45% higher compared to England and Wales.

Since 2007, Scotland’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) 102,055 homes have been completed and the Scottish Government indicated this year that it intends to make a capital investment of £3.3 billion via AHSP from 2021 until 2026.

Responding to the figures, Daryl McIntosh, policy manager at Propertymark, said: “The Scottish Government’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing is commendable and crucial to ensure that everyone has access to a suitable home.

“But while we welcome the investment and the prioritisation of homes for social rent, we would urge the Scottish Government to recognise the significance of all housing tenures in the creation of a truly affordable housing mix.

“The Draft Rented Sector Strategy, published in December, seeks to improve regulation of the private rented sector, bolster tenants’ rights, and implement a system of rent control by 2025.

“But what tenants need now is more choice within the private rented sector, and this requires sustained investment and incentives for new landlords to enter the market.

“The Scottish Government must encourage a mix of all tenures across the entire housing market to ensure that housing is allocated efficiently and to avoid exacerbating affordability issues through poorly-developed policies.”