Harry Frew Scottish secretary said: "While we welcome this as a first step in developing an efficient housing strategy to support Scottish workers housing concerns, any programme of investment to build new council homes must also lead to a boost in apprenticeships and construction opportunities for youngsters in our local communities across Scotland.
 
"Councils should be building thousands more homes each and every year.
They are great innovators and must become the catalyst of resolving Scotland's housing crisis."
 
He added: "Ucatt believes that the complete suspension of Right to Buy of all council housing alongside councils being allowed to develop municipal built and municipal let properties would ease the shortage of affordable homes."