Statistics have revealed that homelessness applications in East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway have risen in recent times.

Scottish Government figures show that from the beginning of 2021 to September that year, there were 795 homelessness applications submitted in East Ayrshire.

In the latest data from 2022 to September that year, this increased by 26 per cent to 1,007.

Figures also show that between April and September 2022, there were 488 homelessness applications in Dumfries & Galloway, which is up from 382 in the same period the previous year.

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South Scotland MSPs have now called for more to be done to tackle these issues.

Scottish Conservative and Unionist representative Sharon Dowey said: “With an additional 212 applications made last year alone, this issue isn’t going to be resolved on its own. This problem isn’t just about those sleeping rough, it’s about temporary accommodation that many find themselves in up and down Scotland.

“We need to see the SNP Government immediately reverse these cuts to social housing and prioritise Scotland’s homelessness crisis. Otherwise, I’m worried that the 26 per cent increase we seen in 2022 will only continue to rise this year.”

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Labour's Colin Smyth added: “Too many people in our area are in crisis and local services are struggling to support them.

"Even one household without somewhere to live is one too many. The second largest rise in homelessness applications in Scotland was seen in Dumfries and Galloway, which is also a concern.

"The report noted the reason was a rise in evictions due to private landlords in the region selling their properties.

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

“We need a real plan to make sure every person in Scotland has the safe, secure home they deserve.”

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Last week, the Scottish Government was urged to acknowledge the scale of the problem by declaring a housing emergency.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland has led the way in delivering affordable housing across the UK and has some of the strongest homelessness legislation in the world.

"The number of households in temporary accommodation is too high and we are firmly committed to reducing it.

"Local authorities are making encouraging progress with the implementation of their Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans and the Housing Secretary has commissioned an action plan from experts in the sector to reduce the numbers of people and time spend in temporary accommodation.

“Our £752 million 2023-24 budget will be supplemented by contributions from the Heat in Buildings Fund and Charitable Bond Programme donations directed towards investment in social rented homes.

"We remain committed to making over £3.5 billion available for affordable housing over the current parliamentary session as part of our ambitious plans to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”