Holyrood parliament

Scottish councils are threatening to refuse to house asylum seekers, according to reports.

The Scotland on Sunday newspaper said that local authorities are holding out for a bigger cash commitment from ministers before agreeing to a deal to disperse asylum applicants outside of Glasgow.

At present the city is the only place people claiming refugee status are sent north of the border, with 12,000 being housed there in the past four years.

With the contract between the Scottish executive and Glasgow Council set to run out next month, ministers want more local authorities to provide the necessary services such as housing, schools and healthcare.

But local government leaders want the executive to stump another £10 million per year before agreeing to the deal.

Glasgow Council is also asking for more cash from Holyrood due to what one source described as "unforeseen costs of the current contract".