THE Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate in the Borders, on which housing benefit is calculated and paid by Scottish Borders Council to tenants of private landlords, is the lowest in Scotland.

And Councillor Frances Renton, executive member for social work, has admitted that having a single rate across the region is “potentially disadvantageous” to many Borderers.

She was responding to Councillor Gavin Logan (Tweeddale East) who claimed the single LHA rate was unfair.

“Having only one rate for the entire region is a real issue for people on low incomes seeking affordable homes, particularly in Tweeddale where rental levels are generally higher than elsewhere in the Borders,” said Councillor Logan.

Councillor Renton explained the LHA rates were set by the Scottish Government and based on “market evidence” and that the Scottish Borders was one of 18 so-called broad rental market areas (BRMAs) in Scotland.

“These are generally defined as being an area within which a resident could reasonably be expected to live which are within reach, by public transport, of all the regular facilities and services which people need.

“For Tweeddale most of these are accessed within the Scottish Borders.

“Having one LHA rate for the whole of the Borders has been and continues to be an issue.

“It could be argued it potential disadvantages those people who are reliant on housing benefit accessing private rented sector homes within their own communities, especially the more affluent parts of the Borders were rents are higher.

“That is why this administration is developing affordable housing at below market rents in the Tweeddale area to assist the very people Councillor Logan is rightly concerned about.” The LHA rates in the Borders are the lowest of the 18 BRMAs in Scotland and are currently set at £56.96 for a one bedroom (shared) property, £72 for one bedroom (not shared), £92.31 for two bedrooms, £109.62 for three bedrooms and £138.46 for four bedrooms.

This compares to neighbouring Lothian – considered a single BRMA – where the respective rates are £68.27, £116.52, £145.43, £186.47 and £276.92.

“There is a basic iniquity here when you consider the high rent levels in a place like West Linton compared to nearby Penicuik where the LHA is much more generous,” said Councillor Logan after the meeting.

“I will be asking the council to consider lobbying the Scottish Government to look again at the criteria for setting these rates which, for many Borderers, are patently unfair.”