The SNP Government is helping deliver more low cost homesthan at any time since the early 1980's, official figures confirmed today.

Between July 2009 and June 2010 there were 5,337 housingassociation and council flats and houses completed across Scotland, the secondhighest figure since 1982, and only exceeded by last year's record numbers.

Councils across Scotland started 624 new homes in theyear to June 2010 compared with 337 the previous year, an 85 per cent increase.

In 2009-10, the recession-hit private sector new buildcompletions, which reached 11,555, a decrease of 28 per cent from the previousyear.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing NicolaSturgeon said:

"Despite continuing financial challenges faced bythe Scottish Government and local authorities, I am pleased that we aremaintaining the delivery of high numbers of affordable homes across thecountry.

"The investment the Scottish Government made lastyear, and continues to make, will help safeguard jobs, support the constructionindustry and keep the Scottish economy moving.

"The recession has clearly had an impact on privatesector house building, which has slowed. That is regrettable and although theUK Government has chosen to slash planned funding for Scotland, this Governmentis determined to do all it can to stimulate house building activity.

"Everyone accepts that Scotland faces a tightsqueeze on public finances. It is therefore imperative that the housing sectoradopts fresh thinking and new ideas to support increased supply, enhance the qualityof existing stock and improve efficiency

"The housing discussion document we launched earlierthis year, Housing: Fresh Thinking, New Ideas, poses fundamental questionsabout the way homes can be built, allocated, funded and managed in thefuture."