Chala McKenna, a public sector solicitor who previously worked for housing charity, Shelter Scotland, said: "A lot of young people, ladened with student loans and struggling to find professional jobs in a competitive market place really struggle to get on the property ladder.

"The help to buy ISA will be positive in terms of getting people on the ladder but I have concerns about long term affordability for those people. Having worked for a charity which assists those facing repossession and eviction I know that home ownership is not always the best option for people. Especially those who are on temporary contracts or low salaries which don't rise with inflation. A couple of bills for major repairs can see people in real trouble and people are generally only about three paychecks away from not being able to afford their mortgage.

"There is a chronic lack of social housing in Scotland with councils struggling to meet the demand of housing for those who are street homeless and I understand there is nothing in the budget to address that. There are also people in poor quality temp accommodation with terrible damp and disrepair issues for too long. There is nothing scarier than losing your home and it is a real pity that the budget fails to address the housing crisis."

The 30-year-old, who lives in Glasgow with her husband, a chef, added: "I feel like the government are trying to win over the public with tax free savings and 1p off a pint of beer but that once again the most vulnerable and the least able to pay are going to be hit the hardest.

"£13bn is being cut from government departments, and £12 billion from welfare. Welfare cuts and sanctions such as the so called bedroom tax have had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable who are already living on the breadline.

"Meanwhile the threshold for the higher earners has been raised to £43,300."