MORE children were in temporary accommodation last year than at any point on record, according to new statistics.

Figures show 7252 children were in temporary housing between July and September last year.

The number rose slightly from the previous quarter, when 7027 were homeless.

The number had not surpassed 7000 since the first and second quarters of 2008.

Records have been kept on the statistics since the beginning of 2002 and have been on the rise since, with the first figure in Scotland showing 2389 children in temporary accommodation – the lowest level recorded.

Figures for April to September last year show households with children spent an average 212 days in temporary accommodation, compared to 167 for those without.

The figures come against the backdrop of declining homelessness applications in Scotland, with a year-on-year drop of 2% between April and September last year compared to the same period in 2018 – from 19,015 to 18,645.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “One person being made homeless is one too many, particularly in households with children.

“That is why we are working in partnership with local government, people with lived experience and front-line services to transform services to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”