DUMFRIES and Galloway has seen an increase in the number of children living in temporary accommodation here over the last 20 years.
It went up 20 per cent between 2002-22, while across Scotland, the number of children staying in temporary accommodation has soared to a record high of 8635.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth is calling on the Scottish Government to do more to make sure families and have and secure accommodation. He said: “It is a scandal that so many children in our area will have spent Christmas in temporary accommodation.
“The lack of suitable housing locally is shameful and the recent Scottish Government budget plan to reduce spending on new homes will make the problem worse.
“Leaving children stranded in temporary accommodation for so long will impact on their health and wellbeing.
“The Scottish Government need to act urgently to fix this shocking dereliction of duty and make sure that every family across our area has the safe, secure housing they need.”
