SNP not fit for vast challenge of housing crisis

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today criticised the SNP’s handling of the housing crisis as a series of new figures revealed the terrible state of the sector.

Figures from the Scottish Government’s Quarterly Housebuilding Statistics show:

• There was an increase of increase of 2% (915) in empty homes, and 2% (741) in long term empty homes (empty for over 12 months) in 2025 compared to 2024. The level of long term empty properties is the highest on record.

• There were 18,347 homes built (completed) and 14,846 new builds started in the year to the end of September 2025. Completions (-1,498; -8%) and starts (-738; -5%) were lower than the previous year.

• There were decreases in affordable housing supply approvals (-1,460, 22%), starts (-853, -13%), and completions (-1,931 -23%) in the year to the end of September 2025 compared with the previous year.

Housing spokesperson and lead candidate for Central Scotland and Lothians West, Paul McGarry said:

"When I speak with Scottish housebuilders they have nothing but contempt for how SNP ministers have handled this issue in recent years.

“Because of years of bad decisions and neglect, the scale of the challenge we face in tackling the housing crisis is simply vast.

“In the face of record homelessness and rough sleeping, the Scottish Government should be doing so much better.

“Slashing the affordable housing budget by the SNP and Greens was a grave mistake which Scottish Liberal Democrats reversed in this year’s budget. However we need to go further to build more homes, bring thousands of empty homes back into use and re-establish social rent as a valid, long-term option.”