CONCERNS have been raised about the lack of spending by East Lothian Council on a scheme set up to stop people becoming homeless.

The Mortgage to Rent scheme was established by the Scottish Government to allow local authorities to buy homes from people who can no longer afford them.

It then allows people to remain in the property as a tenant paying an affordable rent.

However, a financial review of the council’s spending this year revealed that the local authority had spent less than £200,000 on the scheme so far – despite setting aside more than three times the amount in its budget.

SNP opposition leader Councillor Stuart Currie raised concern about the lack of spending on the scheme, saying it was aimed at “one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities”.

At a meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday, he called for answers to the current underspend of £494,000.

Council officials said that in East Lothian in particular there was an issue with the scheme, as many houses were valued above the limit which was placed on the property which was eligible for it.

And they said there had been little demand for the council to step in.

The council’s head of finance, Jim Lamond, said: “While last year we had six or seven applications to the scheme, this year we have had very little demand.” The financial review highlighted that the council had increased its useable reserves by £9.3million and reduced borrowing by £3.9million this year.

Council leader Willie Innes said: “Although savings have had to be made, our priority is always first and foremost our people, in particular the most vulnerable in society, and we continue to ensure that their needs come first.”