New figures published by the Scottish Government have revealed that almost 7,000 households claimed emergency housing help in December 2013.

The help for people on benefits – known as Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) – is reserved to Westminster and administered by Local Authorities in Scotland.

During the nine month period covered by the report, some £18.6m was awarded – £3.2m of which was in December alone – to around 53,000 Scottish households.

The Scottish Government contributed an extra £20m to the DHP fund in 2013/14, which is the maximum amount allowed under UK legislation – to help with the costs of the so-called Bedroom Tax.

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This brings the current funding amount to more than £36m.

Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said: "We have already topped up Discretionary Housing Payments to the maximum amount that Westminster legislation allows to help people struggling with the Bedroom Tax.

"But we know that this is not enough to help everyone.

"We know that demand for housing help is increasing. An additional 7,000 households needed help during December when compared to our figures for November. In 2012/13 only £4 million was allocated for DHPs – these figures show that Local Authorities have awarded over £14 million more than this in just nine months, including £3.2 million during December alone.

"These figures show the impact the Bedroom Tax is having in Scotland. We can work to mitigate its effects but the only way to scrap it for good is through the powers of an independent Scottish Parliament.

"We have the choice of two futures – one where Scotland continues to pay the price of Westminster's welfare reforms, and one where we have control to set up a welfare system that suits our needs."

(JP/MH)