More than a quarter of all Syrian refugees who have arrived in the UK in the past two years have settled north of the Border.

Since the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme (SVPRP) scheme was expanded in 2015, 7,055 Syrians have arrived in the UK in total, 1,800 of which have settled in Scotland.

However, criticism has been levelled at the standard of housing Syrian families are being given and some have been forced to stay in hostels.

SNP MSP Ben Macpherson said more should be done.

He added: “It’s time for the UK government to significantly step up its refugee resettlement efforts in the midst of what is possibly the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War.”

The vulnerable persons resettlement scheme was established to help victims of the war in Syria and earlier this month it was announced that it would be extended to include other nationalities as well as Syrians.

Concerns have been raised over the treatment of unaccompanied child refugees with cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities, Angela Constance and Welsh cabinet secretary for communities and children, Carl Sargeant, jointly writing a letter urging the UK government to take into consideration the views and issues of the devolved governments on the issue.