Thousands of disabled Scots seek social housing

The Conservatives have slammed “wholly unacceptable” figures showing almost 40,000 disabled Scots are waiting for social housing.

Tory social justice, housing and equalities spokesman Miles Briggs said the figures – released under freedom of information legislation – show “vulnerable disabled people have been abandoned by the SNP”.

Claiming the waiting lists are the result of reductions in the housing budget and the “brutal underfunding of Scotland's councils” by the Scottish Government, he challenged ministers to declare a national housing emergency.

Figures from 27 of Scotland’s 32 councils show 39,875 people with disabilities – including 1,569 children – are waiting for either a council or housing association property.

Five councils said they do not hold the relevant data, so the Tories warned the true total of disabled people waiting for either a council or housing association home could be even higher.

Mr Briggs said: “These figures are a disgrace and wholly unacceptable.

“It should be a source of shame for the Snp-green government that at least close to 40,000 disabled Scots are languishing on social housing waiting lists.

“Vulnerable disabled people have been abandoned by the SNP, including more than 1,500 who are under 18.

“These appalling figures are the product of SNP cuts to the housing budget and their brutal underfunding of Scotland’s councils.”

Housing minister Paul Mclennan said: "The Scottish Government has led the UK in housing by delivering more than 126,000 affordable homes since 2007.

“We remain deeply concerned by the UK government's proposals to change work capability assessments which could reduce vital financial support for the most vulnerable in our society.”