The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Over 200 homeless deaths in 2019: Figures
The number of people who died while homeless rose to more than 200 in 2019, according to new figures.
Experimental statistics published by National Records of Scotland (NRS) estimate that 216 people died that year, an increase of 11% on the estimate of 195 in 2018.
The average age at death in 2019 was 43 years old for men and 39 for women and more than half of homeless deaths (54%) were drug-related.
Almost threequarters (73%) of deaths among people experiencing homelessness were male (157) and 27% were female (59).
Scotland had the highest homeless death rate when compared to England and Wales in 2019 with a rate of 52.2 per million population aged 15-74 compared to 18 in England and 14.3 in Wales.
Julie Ramsay, NRS head of vital events, said: “Given the importance of having information on the number of homeless deaths in Scotland, we worked with the Office for National Statistics to develop this methodology to provide estimates.
“While these statistics help our understanding of this issue, it’s important to understand these figures are currently experimental and the methodology is under development.
“These estimates do provide context and show that homeless deaths have increased for the second consecutive year, with an 11% increase on the estimate in 2018.”
In 2019 the local authorities with the highest homeless death rates per million population aged 15-74 were Inverclyde (213.2), South Ayrshire (120.3) and North Ayrshire (111.8).
Strong winds wreaked havoc in Tayside, knocking out power to nearly 200 homes and causing chaos on roads yesterday.
There is concern further weather disruption will be suffered today, with warnings of heavy rain and wind.
Residents in Errol were hit by a power cut after a SSEN pole was blown over.
The damage was reported at around 4pm, and engineers arrived on site at 5pm to install a new pole.
A SSEN spokesman said around 170 properties were affected.
North Methven Street in Perth city centre was closed yesterday afternoon as fire crews attempted to stabilise stonework and fix loose masonry on buildings.
Emergency services were called to the area just after 2pm, amid concerns debris could be blown on to nearby cars.
A tree also blew down in Scone, blocking Catmoor Road.
Earlier, a van toppled on the A9 near Blackford and the road was closed for around an hour
Public transport was also hit by the weather.
Scotrail suspended all services between Perth and Pitlochry and services were delayed between Dunfermline and Edinburgh after a tree came down on the line at Rosyth.
A fallen tree came within inches of causing serious damage to the back of houses in Arbroath Road, Dundee, when it came down in the neighbouring back gardens on Craigie Avenue.
One resident said: “I heard an almighty crash and when I looked out I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
“The big tree just behind our houses had crashed
right over. It’s branches are actually touching some of the houses.
“It has knocked over drying poles, fencing and damaged telephone cables.
“It’s a miracle there was no greater damage and thank goodness nobody was outside in the garden when it happened.”
Another resident “When I saw it I shocked.
“The tree has come down within inches of my house.
“Thank goodness there has been no serious damage to anyone’s house and it’s lucky nobody was outside when it happened.”
A third said: “The wind was really building just before the tree came down. Thank goodness no one was hurt in this. It could have been pretty nasty.
“Thankfully none of the houses has been badly affected.” said: was
Residents of a block of Dundee flats say they have been left trapped in their homes after a lift was put out of use for maintenance.
The elevator at Dudhope Court could be out of action for up to three months.
One resident said his 92-year-old neighbour had to be carried to her 10thfloor flat by paramedics when she returned from hospital to find the lift leading to floors two, four, six, eight and 10 out of use.
Craig Henderson, 55, who lives on the 12th floor, said the closure was a nightmare for dozens of residents. He said: “There are loads of elderly and disabled people here and the lift closure means they are trapped in their homes as they can’t even manage one flight of stairs, never mind several.
“The situation is awful. Paramedics had to carry a 92-year-old resident who had just got out of hospital to their home on the 10th floor because the lift was out of use.
“That really shouldn’t be happening. Other people are saying they can’t get out because they can’t manage the stairs.”
Craig said the first residents heard about the closure was when a sign appeared in the foyer. He said: “When I asked the concierge how long the lifts would be out of action, he said it could be up to three months. This isn’t acceptable at all.
“The situation is made worse due to the pandemic as we’re only allowed one
in the lifts at a time. There are also workmen in the building, working on the roof, and they are using the lifts meaning it is harder for residents to use them.”
Fellow resident Derek Tarbett, 50, said: “I have a bad back and had to walk up and down 10 flights of stairs. It was still closed on Sunday, so I didn’t get out at all.”
Another resident said: “At one point both lifts went off, odds and evens. This meant everyone had to walk up stairs.
“People were trapped in their homes like prisoners because they had no way of getting down the stairs – disabled, and infirm people couldn’t get out.
“The working lift is also being used constantly by
contractors with tenants having to wait ages.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “We are working to resolve the issue.
“The lift for oddnumbered floors is still in operation and accessible.
“We are engaged with social care colleagues to assist and support any vulnerable residents.”
Campaigners fear thousands of EU nationals living in Fife could be asked to leave this summer because of confusion over their post-brexit rights.
European citizens must apply for settled status by June 30 if they want to stay in this country.
Those who do not apply could lose the right to work in the UK, use the NHS for free, enrol in education and access benefits.
Colm Wilson from Fife Migrants Forum said many people were still unaware of the scheme or the looming deadline and he was concerned there could be a deluge of late pleas for help.
He said staff have already processed around 1,500 applications as well as assisting a further 1,000 overseas nationals.
He said: “It’s impossible to determine exactly how many people currently living in Fife still needed to apply but the figure could run into thousands.
“We have two staff just processing applications and nothing else and they are snowed under.
“Among the most worrying are the number of older people who have been here for many years and think because they have got ‘leave to remain’ many years ago they are OK, when for some this is not the case.
“Some are now living in care homes, where there are also many carers working who have not applied for settled status.
“We are worried because
we are finding that this status is becoming a prerequisite to everything, such as getting a job or renting a house.”
The outlook is likely to be similar in other areas.
In 2020, it was estimated that around 209,000 EU citizens lived and worked in Scotland.
A Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants report indicated that one in
three care workers surveyed online did not know that there was a deadline to apply for settled status, while a third surveyed in person claimed not to know about the settlement scheme.
Glenrothes and Central Fife SNP MSP Peter Grant said his party wanted the deadline for applications to be extended beyond June and branded the situation
“a disaster happen”.
He said: “This could see thousands of EU care workers, and many more EU nationals, losing their rights to remain here overnight on July 1.
“This could have serious consequences for the care sector, as well as on the livelihoods of those who have made Scotland their home.”
waiting to
Tiger Woods is undergoing surgery on leg injuries after being cut from his car following an accident in Los Angeles, officials have confirmed.
Fire crews had to use “jaws of life” cutting equipment to remove Woods from the wreckage of the vehicle after it rolled over and suffered “major damage”.
The 15-time major winner was taken to a local hospital by ambulance having suffered “multiple leg injuries”, according to his manager Mark Steinberg.
A statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department read: “On February 23, 2021, at approximately 7.12am, LASD responded to a single vehicle roll-over traffic collision on the border of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes.
“The vehicle was travelling northbound on Hawthorne Boulevard, at Blackhorse Road, when it crashed. The vehicle sustained major damage.
“The driver and sole occupant was identified as PGA golfer Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods. Mr Woods was extricated from the wreck with the ‘jaws of life’ by Los
Angeles County firefighters and paramedics, then transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his injuries.”
Steinberg confirmed the news shortly afterwards.
“Tiger Woods was in a single-car accident this morning in California where he suffered multiple leg injuries,” he told Golf Digest. “He is currently in surgery and we thank you for your privacy and support.”
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Wgc-workday Championship, world number three Justin Thomas expressed his concern for Woods and his two children, Sam and Charlie.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” Thomas said yesterday. “You know, it hurts to see one of your... now one of my closest friends get in an accident.
“Man, I just hope he’s all right. Just worry for his kids, you know. I’m sure they’re struggling.”
Former United States alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn, an ex-girlfriend of
Woods, tweeted: “Praying for TW right now.”
The PGA Tour said in a statement: “We have been made aware of Tiger Woods’ car accident today. We are awaiting further
information when comes out of surgery.
“On behalf of the PGA Tour and our players, Tiger is in our prayers and will have our full support as he recovers.” he