Scottish builders highlight ‘growing policy divergence’ with rest of the UK

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SCOTLAND’S house builders have responded to chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s Growth Plan announcement by highlighting the ‘growing policy divergence’ between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The chancellor permanently doubled the nil rate for stamp duty south of the border to £250,000, raised the threshold for first time buyers to £425,000, and announced measures to increase housing supply.

Homes for Scotland chief executive Jane Wood said, “(The) announcement goes to further highlight the policy divergence between Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Jane Wood

“At a time when Scotland has an undersupply of housing approaching 100,000 homes, this is highly concerning in the context of attracting investment and ensuring that those delivering the homes that our country desperately needs are on a level playing field with their counterparts south of the border.”