Research from BBC Scotland has shown that first-time buyers in Perth and Kinross will spend the second-longest amount of time saving to buy a house in Scotland.
According to data from BBC Scotland it will take a first-time buyer in Perth and Kinross, earning a median salary saving 10% a month, 9 years and 11 months to buy a house in the area, second only to Edinburgh for unaffordability.
The average house price in the region is £178,940 with the median salary standing at £11.28 an hour.
Separate research from the Scottish Government has shown that private rents have increased by 10% in the period between 2010 and 2016 making it even harder for young people to save.
Commenting Liz Smith MSP said;
“For people without a generous loan from the bank of mum and dad or an inheritance to rely on the only serious way to save is through their earnings and these figures underline just how difficult it is in Perth and Kinross.
“The UK Government has worked hard to give first time buyers a helping hand and schemes like the ‘Help to Buy ISA’ have improved the picture for those looking to get on the ladder.
“However, there is still more that can be done to ensure that this generation isn’t faced with renting forever. It’s important that the Scottish Government does more to incentivise first-time buyers and removing the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme a couple of years ago was a step in the wrong direction.
“It is also important that more affordable homes are available to buy and rent and we have called for a 10% year on year increase in the number of new build completions. This move would greatly improve the picture for first-time buyers in Perth and Kinross.”