Jackie Baillie has responded to newly-published homelessness figures which show a growing housing crisis across Scotland.

In both Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire, homeless applications increased over the last year. In the six months to September 2022, applications in Argyll and Bute rose by almost a quarter compared to the same period the previous year.

In West Dunbartonshire, there was an 87 percent increase in the number of children in homeless accommodation in September 2022 compared to the previous year.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “These shameful figures lay bare the reality of Scotland’s growing housing crisis and there are really worrying figures emerging from Argyll and Bute with a huge increase in the number of homeless applications.

“It is also shocking that the number of children in homeless accommodation in West Dunbartonshire is rising at an alarming rate.

“This is a national emergency.

“The SNP-Green government have ignored the warnings about this looming disaster, and we are now seeing the consequences.

“Next year’s budget risks making this grim picture worse, as funding for affordable housing and local government get slashed.

“The Scottish Government need a real plan to make sure every person in the country has the safe, secure home they deserve.”