LATEST figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests found that 22,352 people across the Scottish Borders are currently on social housing waiting lists, including 8,723 children.

MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk John Lamont described the figures as “an absolute disgrace” and urged the SNP Government to build more affordable homes for struggling families.

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And he said the SNP Government must answer why they cut £160 million from the housing budget when so many people were struggling to get proper accommodation.

Mr Lamont, said: “The SNP Government should be ashamed that over 22,000 people, including nearly 9,000 children, are currently on social housing waiting lists across the Borders.

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“These shocking statistics expose the SNP’s failure to build enough affordable homes for workers and families across the Borders.

“It is an absolute disgrace that the SNP cut the national housing budget at a time when so many people are waiting for social housing.

“The SNP must focus on crucial matters like this instead of getting distracted from the day job by their constant push for another divisive referendum.”

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A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government continues to collaborate with all its partners to achieve our shared goal of delivering more affordable homes for Scotland.

“Scotland has led the UK in delivering affordable housing and Scottish Government per capita spending on affordable housing is more than three times higher than that of the UK Government.

“We have delivered more than 118,000 homes since 2007, and we remain committed to making available £3.5 billion for affordable housing over the current parliamentary session as part of our ambitious plans to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”