The Tories said the executive's homeless policies are not working

Statistics published by the executive show that 148 families with children were staying in B&B accommodation in September last year.

Communities Minister Margaret Curran is to consult on what is deemed suitable accommodation for children.

The Tories said the executive was failing the homeless population.

The Homelessness (Scotland) Act, which was passed last year, places a duty on councils to provide temporary accommodation, advice and assistance to homeless people.

The statistics cover the quarters ending 30 June and 30 September last year and detail the homeless applications made to local authorities.

I continue to be concerned by the number of families with children living in inappropriate bed and breakfast accommodation Margaret Curran Communities Minister

During the period, local authorities received 26,802 homeless applications.

This represented a 6% increase on the previous year.

The majority of households applying were single males at 64%, with single women accounting for 23% of applications.

Of the 24,721 applications, 78% were assessed as homeless and 56% as homeless and in priority need.

'Making progress'

In September last year, 6,141 people were placed in temporary accommodation - a 31% increase on the previous 12 months.

Seventeen of Scotland's 32 councils had either none or one family with children in a B&B, while seven others had more than 10.

Ms Curran said children should be housed in B&Bs only in extreme circumstances.

She said: "I continue to be concerned by the number of families with children living in inappropriate bed and breakfast accommodation.

The executive has vowed to tackle the problem

"The executive has already made clear to local authorities that we expect them to end the inappropriate use of B&B accommodation for such families.

"I am encouraged that the statistics show that almost all local authorities are making progress towards this.

"I now want to seek views on how to ensure it is only in exceptional circumstances and for strictly limited periods that any child should be accommodated in a B&B."

Tory communities spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said the statistics were a "damning indictment" of the executive's homeless policies.

'Makes a mockery'

"The number of households living in B&B accommodation has gone up from 355 under the Tories to 1,108 now - an increase of 212%," she said.

"The number of households with dependent children living in B&B accommodation has gone from 88 in June 2001 to 148 today - a 68% increase in only a couple of years."

The Tory MSP said it "makes a mockery" of the executive's social justice campaign.

"It's time for the government to stop talking a good game and start getting something done."

The Scottish National Party's health spokeswoman Shona Robison said B&Bs were not suitable accommodation for children.