Responding to the ministerial statement on the future of housing in Scotland, the CML was largely positive, however on the subject of a FTB grant CML policy consultant for Scotland, Kennedy Foster, said he doubted whether it would improve affordability.
Foster added: "In 2006 there were 38,900 first-time buyers in Scotland, and the proposed grants would have cost of £78m. This money could be better spent in expanding the Homestake scheme or in building more homes for low-cost ownership.
"We are delighted that independent regulation of housing associations is to be maintained and will move to become independent of Ministers.
"However, the statement signals the burden of regulation will be reduced, and efforts will concentrate on assessing the outcomes for tenants. Governance and management of housing associations are extremely important for lenders, as well as tenants, and should not be diluted in the current market. Otherwise the confidence of lenders in supporting increased new social housing could be affected.
"We look forward to further dialogue on the best ways to deliver housing improvements."
The CML continues to urge the government to choose a quiet time in the housing market for implementation of the Single Survey, in order to minimise any impact on supply. It believes this is even more important given that the housing market is now cooling down.
