Scotland’s homeless death rate is worst in Britain

DEATHS among homeless people in Scotland are three times higher than in England and Wales.

There were 216 deaths in 2019, according to National Records of Scotland (NRS) estimates – an increase of 10.8 per cent on the 195 of the year before.

Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of the deaths were male and more than half (54 per cent) were drug-related. Average age of death was 43 for men and 39 for women.

Scotland’s homeless death rate of 52.2 per million of population, aged 15-74, compares with 18 in England and 14.3 in Wales.

The areas with the highest homeless death rates are Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, with 213.2, South Ayrshire (120.3) and North Ayrshire (111.8). The figures include those in temporary accommodation and rough sleepers. However, NRS said the statistics are still ‘experimental’ and need to be evaluated further, although ‘these estimates do provide context’.

Jon Sparkes, of homeless charity Crisis, said: ‘It’s truly heartbreaking that hundreds of people died without the dignity of a safe home. Many of these deaths will have been avoidable. We need to learn from these failings and stop this happening in the future.

‘Action taken during the pandemic has proven that when the political will is there, we can save lives.’ Housing Minister Kevin

Stewart said ending homelessness ‘is a priority for the Scottish Government’, adding: ‘Each one of these deaths is a tragedy.

‘We must ensure everyone experiencing any form of homelessness is fully supported and helped into settled accommodation.’

But Scottish Tory housing spokesman Alexander Stewart said: ‘The minister says every one of these deaths is a tragedy, yet his Government has had 14 years to act.

‘SNP spin won’t save a single life of those who sleep on our streets.’