UNDER-FIRE SNP Housing Minister Paul McLennan has claimed new legislation will curb Scotland’s spiralling homelessness through prevention.

Mr McLennan faced calls to resign last month after figures revealed that homeless cases had rocketed to a record 31,870 on his watch, while more than 10,000 children languish in temporary accommodation.

Visiting Edinburgh’s West Granton Housing co-op to mark World Homelessness Day, the minister placed faith in his forthcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill to stem the tide through a greater focus on early intervention.