THE Scottish government’s targets on affordable housebuilding are in “tatters,” Labour said today in calls for urgent action.

Ministers have pledged to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, however Labour has warned the fall in approvals for new housebuilding shows ministers are in “denial” over the targets.

The government’s housebuilding statistics for 2023 showed there were 6,239 approvals last year, with the figure falling each year from 2018, and the lowest since 2012.

Labour argued the decision to cut £196 million from the affordable housing budget shows the Scottish government has “doubled down” on its risk of missing the target.

Government figures published in March showed 9,680 new affordable homes were completed in 2023, down 5 per cent from the previous year.

Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: said “The SNP-Green government’s promises on affordable housing lie in tatters, as the reality of their record of failure is exposed.

“From record levels of homelessness to extortionate rent to soaring house prices, Scotland is crying out for more affordable housing — but the SNP and the Greens are in denial.

“Once again this government is more interested in setting targets than meeting them, and Scots are paying the price.

“This housing emergency has been years in the making, but instead of fixing their mistakes the SNP is doubling down on them by slashing this year’s affordable housing budget.

“We need urgent action to boost housebuilding so everyone can have a secure and affordable home, including ditching this damaging budget cut and reforming our planning system.”

Housing minister Paul McLennan said Scotland has delivered more than 128,000 affordable homes since April 2007, over 90,000 of which were for social rent.

He added that inflation, supply chain issues and labour shortages linked to Brexit have created a challenging environment.