House building in Scotland suffered another fall, drawing more criticism that the government is failing to stimulate the market.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, 18,028 new homes were added to Scotland’s housing stock, 8% fewer than the previous year and the lowest since 2014-15 (excluding the COVID-19 period).
Scottish Labour housing Spokesperson Mark Griffin said: “People need secure, affordable homes, but Scotland is failing to build enough to meet demand.
“At the same time, more than 10,000 council homes are sitting vacant. While some need major repairs or modernisation, ministers must work with councils to bring as many as possible back into use.
“The Scottish Government must set out how it will boost housebuilding and help councils get empty properties back into use.”
Scottish Conservative housing spokesman, James Adams said: “Two years on from agreeing there is a housing emergency in Scotland, the SNP still have no plan to deliver the homes Scotland needs.
“It is appalling that the number of homes added to Scotland’s housing stock is at its lowest in over a decade.”
Reform UK Scotland Deputy Leader Thomas Kerr said: “The SNP has been in power since 2007 and is now 250,000 homes short on its own targets, enough homes to fill a city the size of Edinburgh.
“Mass migration has pushed demand through the roof while the SNP has made every new home dearer to build, with green standards in NPF4 adding £20,000 to the cost of every new home.
“When planning policy prioritises cutting carbon emissions over bricks and mortar, it’s no wonder construction has slumped.”
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