SCOTTISH LABOUR has demanded the SNP government “act urgently” and publish a plan to tackle the housing emergency as new affordable home completions are falling.

Labour accuses the nationalists of having “fanned the flames” of Scotland’s housing crisis by letting housebuilding collapse.

Official figures show that the number of affordable home completions has fallen over the last three years, from 23,486 in 2022 to 21,318 in 2023, with a further drop to 19,988 in 2024.

Starts fell similarly, from 22,088 in 2022 to 16,849 in 2023 and 15,749 in 2024, the party highlighted.

Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: “These statistics show that the SNP’s rhetoric on tackling the housing crisis does not match its actions.

“Despite having declared a housing emergency last year, ministers have allowed the supply of new homes to dwindle, with a drop in the number of homes built.

“Not only has the SNP failed to tackle the housing emergency, it has also fanned the flames of the crisis by letting housebuilding plummet.”

The Scottish government disputed the figures, arguing they related to all new homes completed, not just affordable ones.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan will “provide an update on ongoing efforts to tackle the housing emergency in autumn,” a spokesperson said, adding: “We are investing £768 million this year, including £40m targeted at acquisitions to help deliver affordable homes more quickly.

“We’ve helped support more than 139,000 affordable homes since 2007, demonstrating our strong track record on delivery.

“Between 2007 and 2024, we have delivered 47 per cent more affordable homes per head than England and 73 per cent more per head than Wales.”