Donald Cameron MSP (Highlands and Islands), has warned that the number of disabled people waiting for housing in Argyll and Bute has increased from 599 to 694 since 2017.

The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request made to local authorities across Scotland by the Scottish Conservatives. The average wait for a property in Argyll and Bute is 313 days.

Mr Cameron said: “While the increase is relatively modest compared to other areas in Scotland I am nevertheless concerned that the trend here in Argyll and Bute is up. That is bad news for vulnerable people in our area who require a property. We need to see action to reverse the trend.

“This problem, like many others, is caused by a refusal of the SNP Government to adequately support our local authorities. They have consistently refused to pass on the funding they have received from Westminster, preferring to spend in other areas. Argyll and Bute Council has had to make massive savings in recent years and this is bound to have an impact on its ability to deliver services.

“We need to see the Government in Holyrood  spend more time concentrating on the bread and butter issues which are its responsibilities and less time agitating for a second independence referendum which is all we ever seem to hear from Nicola Sturgeon.”