S4M-15536: Homelessness in Glasgow

01 Feb 2016

That the Parliament understands that an increasing number of homeless folk are seeking help this winter; notes the reported 60% rise in rough sleepers looking for a bed with Glasgow City Mission and the Lodging House Mission, with 711 cases being logged in December 2015 compared with 437 in December 2014; understands that 40 beds are available but, on some nights this winter, the missions have had to turn people away due to excess demand; believes that the previous three years of rising homelessness show that the welfare cuts pursued by the UK Government are not only not working but are actively pushing people into abject poverty; appreciates the important service that the Lodging House Mission and Glasgow City Mission provide to people in desperate circumstances, and hopes that the Scottish Government, local authorities and homelessness charities can work together to help mitigate the worst impacts of what it sees as the UK Government’s undermining of the welfare state.