AN SNP Help to Buy programme is assisting the wealthy to snap up property, Labour said today as the Scottish government announced a two-year extension of the scheme.

Making the announcement, nationalist ministers said the extension would assist up to 4,000 potential homeowners and support 9,000 jobs.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Housing is about more than bricks and mortar. We want to provide safe, warm homes, help create a fairer Scotland and preserve a diverse and more resilient construction sector.”