Increase in the number of homeless

THE number of adults and children who are homeless over the festive season has risen, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Statistics show there were 26,320 adults registered as homeless on December 25 last year, up eight per cent from 24,425 in 2013.

The number of children without a home at Christmas rose 16 per cent over the same period, from 9,665 to 11,200.

The party’s housing spokeswoman Caron Lindsay said the figures were “a stain on the national conscience” and called for more homes for social rent. She said: “It is absolutely heart-breaking to learn that more than 11,000 children were homeless last Christmas.

“It is intolerable that the number of families without a permanent roof over their head continues to rise.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said tackling homelessness was “of the utmost importance” .