Hundreds of households across Renfrewshire have been impacted by the bedroom tax, according to a new study.

The analysis, conducted by the SNP using the latest data available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), found that almost 1,400 households across the area had their housing benefits cut due to the policy as of February 2023.

Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands said there were over 6,000 households in receipt of Universal Credit in his constituency who have also had their housing benefits cut due to the "cruel" bedroom tax.

He told The Gazette: "The Tories and Labour are pushing people across Scotland into poverty by choosing to continue imposing the bedroom tax against Scotland's will.

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"This is totally unacceptable and comes at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds to the Scottish Government which is trying to mitigate the catastrophic damage the bedroom tax is having on individuals and families across Scotland.

"This is yet another broken promise from the pro-Brexit Labour Party, who are becoming indistinguishable from the Tories.

"In contrast, the SNP Scottish Government has spent millions of pounds protecting families by mitigating policies like the bedroom tax – all with one hand tied behind our back.

"With the full powers of independence, Scotland could rid itself of Westminster control for good – which would make policies like the bedroom tax a thing of the past."

A UK Government spokesperson said: "The removal of the spare room subsidy encourages mobility within the social rented sector, making better use of available social housing.

"We have raised benefits including Universal Credit in line with inflation, increased the National Living Wage and have given an extra £82 million to help people in Scotland with food, energy and other essential costs."

Scottish Labour has been approached for comment.