THE number of new homes built in Scotland is at its highest level since 2010, according to government figures.

A report showed that 4,583 homes were completed across all sectors between April and June this year. The majority were built in the private sector - 3,676 - while there were 907 social housing completions.

It is the highest quarterly figure since 2010 and almost a third higher than in the same period last year, the report said.

The Scottish Government said it was nearing its target of delivering 20,000 homes for social rent by March 2016.

Director Graeme Brown said: "There are still not nearly enough homes being built in Scotland year on year.

"We need to see at least 10,000 homes for social rent built each year if we are going to meaningfully tackle Scotland's housing crisis and bring hope to the 4,223 children across the country who will be homeless this Christmas and the 150,500 individuals stuck on council waiting lists."

Philip Hogg, chief executive of trade body Homes for Scotland, said demand had dropped off significantly since funding for the help to buy scheme ran out in the summer and this would impact on the whole year.

He said: "Buyer interest is plain to see after so many years of pent-up demand. So not only is this situation highly frustrating for would-be home buyers, particularly our young people and growing families, it also places more pressure on an already overburdened rented sector at a time when industry recovery should be being fully nurtured.