GLASGOW is home to the most households affected by the bedroom tax according to new figures.

More than 12,000 people claiming housing benefit in the city have seen their benefit cut and forced to apply for discretionary housing Payments to make up the shortfall.

The number ion Glasgow is far higher than other big UK cities outside London and is even higher than Birmingham, which is the only local authority with more people claiming housing benefit.

There are 86,804 people claiming help with housing costs in Glasgow and 12,443 had a reduction of an average of £12.18 per week because they were deemed to have a spare room.

In North Lanarkshire the number affected was 6077, in Fife 5682, South Lanarkshire 4547 and in Edinburgh, 4546.

In large English cities Birmingham was highest with 10,148, Manchester, 9081, Liverpool 8791 and Leeds, 6866.

The SNP said the UK Government should now abolish the charge which hit 71,000 in Scotland and lead to the Scottish Government paying £90m from its budget to mitigate the costs.

Clare Adamson SNP MSP said: “The UK Government must recognise the impact of this hated levy on families across England and Wales and on public finances in Scotland. The simplest and fairest solution remains for the measure to be dropped by the DWP.

“When he sets out his spending plans later this month, George Osborne should use this as an opportunity to protect the poorest and abolish the Bedroom Tax.”