New statistics have revealed that there has been a fall in the number of people living in social houses. Over the past 14 years, the proportion of households in social rented homes is said to have fallen by almost 10%.

According to the 2013 Scottish Household Survey, the number of households in the social rented sector was 23% in 2013; this compares to 32% in 1999. However, the fall in the sector has been around the 23% level since 2007.

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In the 15% most deprived areas of Scotland, some 55% of households were found to be in the social rented sector, compared to just 17% in the rest of Scotland.

Elsewhere, the figures revealed that the private rented sector showed consistent signs of growth – from 5% in 1999 to 13% in 2013.

Commenting on the report, the Scottish Government said the introduction of the 'Right to Buy', as well as a decrease of public authority new build, plus the increased contribution of private sector building, has contributed to a change in attitudes towards home ownership.

In total, the survey added that were were around 280,000 adults and 170,000 households on housing waiting lists.

(JP/MH)