Number of elderly Scots living alone to rise by 49%

A n n e S l a t e r, a c t i n g c h i e f executive and registrar general at the NRS, said: “The figures show a projected 317,000 extra households in Scotland in 2041 compared to 2016.

“This is partly because Scotland’s population is projected to increase in this period, but also because of our ageing population.

“Older people are more likely to live alone than younger people, and as more people live alone or in smaller households, the number of house - holds will rise at a faster rate than the population.”

Household numbers are projected to increase in almost ever y council area over the next 25 years.

The largest projected p ercentage increases are in Midl o t h i a n , E a s t L o t h i a n a n d Edinburgh, at 36, 26 and 26 per cent increase respectively.

But household numbers are projected to fall in four council areas in the coming deca d e s – Na h - E i l e a n a n S i a r, Inverclyde, Arg yll and Bute a n d N o r t h Ay r s h i r e , w i t h decreases of six, five, two and less than one per cent respect i v e l y . S N P M S P A n g e l a Constance said: “The Tories’ toxic approach to migration is costing Scotland dearly.

“Their ‘hostile environment’ p o l i c i e s a r e d r iv i n g p e o p l e away from Scotland, making it so much more difficult for us to attract the people with skills that we need to come and work in our communities.

“These latest stats make it a b u n d a n t l y c l e a r we n e e d powers over migration now in order to protect our public services and NHS.

“As outlined in the recent

“The Tories’ toxic approach to migration is costing Scotland dearly. Their ‘hostile environment’ policies are driving people away”

ANGELA CONSTANCE