The convenor of a Holyrood committee has claimed it is "regrettable" that the Scottish Government fails to provide longer-term funding for regeneration projects.

Kevin Stewart MSP, who heads the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, said this meant groups often had to devote "significant amounts of energy" to finding ongoing funds, detracting from their regeneration work. He called on ministers to reconsider the issue at Holyrood. He said there was a need for more long-term financial support for projects, telling MSPs: "Time and again we heard from organisations and community representatives of funding difficulties."

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said the Government had invested over £270 million in regeneration.