A Parliamentary Answer by Housing Minister Alex Neil has revealed that 50,000 Scots households will lose an average of £10 per week as a result of changes to housing benefit proposed by the UK Government.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, the housing and homelessness charity, said: “We view the proposed cuts in Local Housing Allowance as a direct attack on hard-working, low-income families who are already struggling to pay their rent.

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“Our calculations show that the average three bedroom household in Scotland will see a 9 per cent drop in the amount they receive, and will now need to find an extra £10 to £13 per week to keep a roof over their head.

“We worry that many will now be forced to cut back on essentials like food and electricity, or take on extra debt in order to make ends meet. We fear that some will be pushed over the edge into a spiral of debt, eviction and homelessness.

“We think this reform is wrong and urge the UK Government to develop an alternative solution that protects the most vulnerable in our society rather than attacking them.”

(GK/KMcA)