Families should only placed in B&Bs in an emergency situation

SNP MSP Tricia Marwick and Labour's John Home Roberston MSP told the communities minister that the 2004 regulation was being breached.

Malcolm Chisholm, who was giving evidence to Holyrood's communities committee, expressed disappointment and insisted he was not being complacent.

However, he said it was important to recognise the progress already made.

The executive had pledged that by Christmas 2004 no child would have to live in B&Bs, other than in "exceptional circumstances".

Local councils now have to ensure families are only placed in this kind of accommodation in an emergency situation and only for a maximum of two weeks.

All local authorities have made progress and there's no persistent offenders in that regard Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm

Ms Marwick said progress had been made on the issue, with fewer families having to stay in such accommodation.

But she added: "There is no doubt it's still going on.

"There are local authorities who are habitually still housing families in bed and breakfast accommodation.

"I'm quite sure I could go to a number of local authorities where this week, next week and the week after, there are going to be people in bed and breakfast accommodation."

Mr Home Robertson said he knew of one local authority area where it was "physically impossible" to comply with the regulations, because of a lack of council housing stock.

Funding issue

However, Mr Chisholm said progress had been made and he wanted to see further improvements.

He said: "All local authorities have made progress and there's no persistent offenders in that regard.

"I was certainly disappointed that there had been breaches and we are actively working with the local authorities that have had difficulties."

Ms Marwick asked him if he would allocated extra funding and he said money for housing was increasing.