Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham has claimed more than 100 households in Perth and Kinross could be hit by changes to the housing benefit system.
The UK Government wants to cap housing benefit for tenants in private accommodation from 2013 in a bid to slash £2 billion from the annual £21 billion bill.
However, Ms Cunningham has hit out at these plans, as she believes it will force residents in her constituency out of their homes and into cheaper rented properties, as the allowance for a one-bedroom flat falls from £87.69 to £54.23.
She also claimed that around 7500 people aged 25-34 will lose almost £55 a week in support from April, which will give them little option but to share accommodation.
“In the coming weeks, the UK government is also set to publish a welfare reform bill, which is expected to propose further extensive cuts and changes to welfare and benefits,” she said.
“I welcome the plans by the Scottish Government to establish an expert group in response to the impending and proposed changes.
“This group of Scottish Government, local government, charity and third sector organisations will share knowledge of local impacts to take the strongest possible case for stopping some measures to the UK Government.”
Ms Cunningham added that the Scottish Government is going to press for the devolution of powers on welfare and benefits in a bid to protect vulnerable people from similar cuts in the future.
The impact of the changes to housing benefits has been detailed in a research document Housing Benefit Changes: Scottish Impact Assessment which was published last week.
She added, “The important thing now is for Scotland to have more powers to boost our strategy for economic growth and help people back into work, for example through control over Job Centre Plus so we can streamline health, employment and training services.”