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The Scottish executive’s homelessness taskforce is set to produce its final recommendations on future policies for homelessness.

Two years work will be included in the report and it will set out specific action to prevent and resolve homelessness.

Social justice minister Iain Gray said: "Homelessness in all its forms is an affront to social justice. The fight against homelessness is high on the executive’s list of priorities and we believe everyone in Scotland should have a decent, secure home to live in."

At a homelessness conference in Scotland, the minister underlined a raft of action which the executive has been able to act on before the report is produced.

This includes the improvement of the rough sleepers initiative; £6 million to reduce the number of people in bed and breakfast accommodation and the introduction of a new electronic system for capturing statistical data on homelessness.

Gray also called for local authorities to ensure they take a co-ordinated approach to fulfilling their new statutory responsibilities to prepare homelessness strategies in their areas.

"Services to the homeless must become seamless. The new strategic responsibility cannot be seen as the responsibility of housing departments alone – social work, education and finance departments will all have their part to play," he said.

"It is also necessary to establish a shared understanding and commitment with other partners – health boards, voluntary organisations and housing providers," he concluded.