The Housing Supply Task Force, the new government instituted body charged with tackling obstacles that are hampering the provision of more homes, has held its first meeting.

Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell chaired the session with a membership drawn from local authorities, house-builders, the housing association movement, and housing interest groups - people in a position to bring about real change.

The Task Force will challenge the different sectors to find ways to supply more homes more quickly, while ensuring high environmental standards.

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Higher demand for housing is not being matched by adequate supply. Average house prices rose by 72 per cent between 2002 and 2006, but only 2 per cent more homes were built in 2006 than in 2002.

Mr Maxwell said: "The Scottish government wants to see an increase in the number of homes that are being built across all sectors.

"This will be a major challenge, not just for the government but for local authorities, housing providers and the construction industry.

"I want this Task Force to shake up the current systems. Its focus will be on driving action where change is needed, rather than producing reports.

"The group is small but contains the main power brokers; representatives of organisations that I believe will help resolve the problems that get in the way of adequate housing delivery in Scotland."

(CD/SP)