A law centre has called on Holyrood to step in and mitigate the effects of Westminster’s welfare reforms on tenants of Scottish councils and housing associations.

"Bedroom tax" is due to come into effect in April 2013 and will see tenants of councils and housing associations have their housing benefit cut if they are deemed to have an unused bedroom in their home.

Govan Law Centre (GLC) says the cuts could amount in some cases to between 14% and 25%.

GLC's principal solicitor Mike Dailly wants to see the government support an amendment to prevent social landlords relying upon rent arrears accrued through the bedroom tax being founded upon in court actions for eviction.

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He said: "Where are Scottish tenants expected to go? The private rented sector has already expanded and the Scottish Government has helped this by allowing homelessness duties to be met by them.

"But private landlords when interviewed about their planned responses to housing benefit cuts have not said they will increase supply by building more houses; rather they will sub-divide existing houses, often former council houses."

He added: "It is incredible to think that the UK Government is going back to the future - recreating the conditions for the emergence of high cost slum housing - by driving people into smaller and more cramped homes as they tax the low paid and poor. The return of the 'single end'. Victorian values recreating Victorian housing conditions."

Mr Dailly has also called upon Scottish local authorities and the government to establish 'Homelessness Prevention Funds', which would see tenants borrow small, interest-free loans to help prevent homelessness.

(IT)