I and my officials have had, and will continue to have, constructive dialogue with stakeholders and the industry to maintain positive progress in the delivery of housing across all tenures. Working together, across Scotland, to provide quality homes in mixed communities that meet local needs.

We are confident that we will meet the 50,000 target, just as we not only met, but exceeded, our previous target. The statistics the member mentions, show that since 2007 we have now delivered nearly 72,500 affordable homes. That is a remarkable achievement and includes almost 50,000 homes for social rent including 9,217 council homes, over 5,000 for affordable rent, and almost 18,000 for affordable home ownership.

In April 2009, we introduced the Council House Build Programme – the first such central government support to councils in a generation and we’ve ended right to buy - protecting existing social rented homes and preventing sale of up to 15,500 houses over a 10 year period.