CIH reaction to the draft Scottish Budget 2025/26

Today the Scottish Government announced their draft budget for 2025/26. CIH Scotland national director, Callum Chomczuk provided his initial response to the budget saying:

"We welcome the prioritisation of social and affordable housing in this year’s budget and funding of £768 million to deliver the social and affordable homes Scotland needs. This money is essential to tackle the housing emergency, kick start our building programme and deliver the homes we need to tackle homelessness.

"However we also need the government to prioritise and maintain a long-term focus on housing in Scotland. The restoration of £200 million more for affordable housing means we are still spending less in real terms than the budget in 2023/24, which was lacking at that time. Since then, we have had 13 local authorities and the Scottish Parliament all declare housing emergencies, alongside horrifying levels of homelessness presentations and children living in temporary accommodation.

"Today’s budget must be the start of a long-term and cross-party consensus on building social and affordable housing. I hope all political parties agree to prioritise building more homes and improving housing outcomes, so everyone has a safe affordable home to live in."

Further information on today's budget can be found on the Scottish Government's website https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2025-2026