Reflecting the growing pace of change in Scotland’s housing market since the creation of the Scottish Parliament, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has launched a social policy programme ‘ Meeting the Challenges for Lending and Housing in Scotland.
CML Scotland has also appointed John Breslin as its new policy consultant. Breslin, a former finance director with Scottish Homes, will represent the interests of CML Scotland to Government, public and private sector bodies, the public and the media.
At 63%, the level of home-ownership in Scotland is rising, but lags behind the rest of the UK. One of CML Scotland’s key priorities is to improve sustainable access to the housing market for first-time buyers in Scotland. At the same time, the policy programme will highlight the achievements of mortgage lenders in Scotland.
Breslin said: ‘Mortgage lenders are crucial to the provision of good quality housing for the people of Scotland ‘ and that does not only mean homeowners. Lenders in Scotland provide finance across the spectrum of housing, including private and social sector landlords, and their experience can make a valuable contribution to a range of housing policy.’
Other key areas covered by the policy programme include promoting sustainable homeownership, home improvement, private rented housing, social rented housing and flooding.
