Brown told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he wants to build more homes and to make homes “more affordable”.  He said he would look at ways of making home ownership easier, such as 20-year fixed-rate mortgages and more shared-equity schemes, as well as considering reforms of planning laws for building homes so that more houses can be built faster.  He also stressed the importance of more properties being built on “brownfield land”. 

The news was welcomed today by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). Jacqui Watt, chief executive, SFHA said: “At long last there is acknowledgement that housing is a top political priority.  Our members – the 232 Housing Associations in Scotland – have a key role to play in delivering the housing our country needs.  They are keen to get on with that job.

“There is much that the Prime Minister can do to help enable provision of affordable housing here in Scotland.  For example, one of the main barriers to provision is the lack of land.  The UK Government could do a great deal to persuade landholding agencies like the Ministry of Defence and the Forestry Commission to provide land for affordable housing – and I would call on him to work with the Scottish Executive to facilitate this.”

Archie Stoddart, director of Shelter Scotland, housing and homelessness charity, also welcomed the announcement. He said: "The Westminster Government has given a very clear commitment today (Wednesday) to affordable housing.

"The Scottish Executive has - under the new administration - committed to increasing the availability of housing through the new Housing Supply Task Force, which over the coming months will look at issues in Scotland such as planning and land availability.

"It will have an important role bringing the sector together to focus on bottlenecks, such as planning and land availability. We must build houses - imaginatively, sensitively and sustainably. The question is not whether we build these houses but when, where and how quickly.

"But the decision on spending on housing must be taken in time for this year's Autumn spending review, when finances for government departments will be laid down for the next three years. The spending review must commit the finances to build for Scotland's future. It's time to deliver."

He added: "The announcement on longer term fixed mortgages could mean longer term security for some Scottish home buyers. But we must remember, not everyone can afford to buy. People must have choices about where they live. That's why we're calling for 30,000 affordable homes for rent over the next three years in Scotland to make sure buying is not the only option."