Housing equity plan expanded

A SCHEME to help people into the housing market has been expanded after a trial last year.

House-builders are asked to take equity stakes with the Scottish Government in unsold or partially-built new homes. Buyers pay 60-80 per cent of the purchase price, with the remainder split equally between the government and developer.

The 5 million scheme, known as "new supply shared equity with developers", has double the funds available during the trial.

Housing and communities minister Alex Neil said: "Key players from the house-building industry embraced this scheme when it was piloted last year."