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Scotland’s Housing Secretary has condemned what she called “misinformation” on refugees as she hit back at claims “strangers” were being put before Scots.

Shirley-Anne Somerville said those seeking asylum were not prioritised over citizens.

Reform UK Scotland has repeatedly claimed that the end of the local connection rule in 2022 has seen migrants presenting as homeless travel from England to be housed north of the border.

The party said the ending of the rule, which meant people applying as homeless could be required to demonstrate a connection to the local authority area, has led to migrants, whom they have consistently labelled “strangers”, being prioritised on housing waiting lists.

During FMQs on Thursday, Malcom Offord, Reform UK Scotland leader, said “thousands of the immigrants who arrive illegally in the UK” who are then granted leave to remain “then come specifically to Scotland” before presenting as homeless “because local authorities here have less discretion than in England about how they allocate accommodation”.

“As a result,” he said, “councils across Scotland are being forced to indefinitely pause the allocation of permanent accommodation to local Scots who’ve been on social housing waiting lists, in some cases for years, in order to provide temporary accommodation to the new arrivals instead.”

The Scottish Government, along with housing charity Shelter, said the claim that certain groups are prioritised over others is wrong.

Ms Somerville, the Social Justice and Housing Secretary, said: “Scotland is a welcoming nation and people seeking safety here are valued members of our communities.

“There is a lot of misinformation about refugees in the media, and it is important to correct false narratives that suggest certain groups are treated preferentially over others.”

The minister said the changes to Scotland’s local connection rules in 2022 “did not alter how refugees are treated within the homelessness system”.

She said refugees do not receive priority for housing over other households facing homelessness.

“Local authorities assess each case based on statutory duties and household need, ensuring fairness across the system,” she added.

“Scotland is proud of its strong and well-established framework of rights for households experiencing homelessness.

“These rights apply equally to all those who are homeless through no fault of their own.”

Shelter Scotland said it was wrong to suggest refugees were put ahead of other homeless groups.

Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, interim director of the charity, said: “Scotland’s homelessness rights apply equally to everyone. These rights protect us all, and any backwards step weakens rights for us all.

“The strain on housing across Scotland is real and is driven by a chronic shortage of social homes that has built up over decades, affecting households of all backgrounds.

“Refugees are not placed ahead of other homeless households for housing. Local authorities assess every case using the same legal framework and criteria, to ensure fair access to support for everyone.

“Everyone who is homeless in Scotland is entitled to have their case assessed fairly, with dignity, and according to their legal rights.”

Earlier this week, First Minister John Swinney accused Reform of “inciting racial division” in the wake of the unrest in Scotland following the stabbing attack in north Belfast on Monday by a Sudanese man.

Reform has backed protests but has urged those attending to be peaceful.