Scottish Conservatives accuse SNP of worsening housing crisis

As the Scottish government launches a consultation on accelerating housebuilding in Scotland, the Scottish Conservatives have accused the SNP of creating the country’s housing emergency.

The Scottish government is seeking views on measures to speed up the delivery of new homes as part of its response to the housing crisis.

However, the Scottish Conservatives told Property118 that the SNP’s plans for rent controls are to blame for Scotland’s housing emergency.

SNP have created Scotland’s housing emergency

According to the consultation, the Scottish government aims to accelerate building on sites allocated for development or those with planning permission, while introducing fiscal incentives to discourage delays and initiatives to make the system work better for SME housebuilders.

However, the Scottish Conservatives claim SNP policies are making the housing crisis worse.

Scottish Conservative shadow housing secretary, Meghan Gallacher MSP, told Property118: “This consultation is a damning admission that the SNP have created and entrenched Scotland’s housing emergency.

“After years of failure, ministers are scrambling for answers while housebuilding has collapsed, and thousands of families remain trapped in temporary accommodation.

“The SNP’s instinct is to threaten developers with new penalties and taxes, while pressing ahead with reckless rent controls that are already driving away investment.

“If the SNP were serious about fixing this crisis, they would cut red tape, restore confidence and back the builders who actually deliver homes, instead of doubling down on policies that make the problem worse.”

Scotland urgently needs more homes

The Scottish government says it is working to tackle the housing crisis, with the 2026–27 draft Scottish Budget including a record £926 million for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and the launch of a national housing agency, More Homes Scotland.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Since 2007, the Scottish government has supported the delivery of 141,000 affordable homes, including 101,000 for social rent.

“But we know that Scotland urgently needs more homes and planning permission is already in place for a significant amount of housing land. We need to encourage construction to start or re-commence on those sites.

“This consultation seeks views on how incentives, clearer expectations and, where appropriate, stronger interventions could help local authorities, developers, landowners and communities undertake and complete more housing developments, more quickly. It builds on existing work to tackle stalled housing sites, support public sector led development, and strengthen planning capacity across Scotland.”

The consultation is open until 30^th April and can be viewed here.