McAllan shifts blame for SNP homelessness shame

THE SNP's Housing Secretary blamed everyone but her own administration for "appalling" homelessness figures which revealed that rough sleeping has hit record levels in Scotland.

- By David Walker

Housing is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, but Mairi McAllan pointed the finger at the UK Government and Brexit for the statistics.

Figures published yesterday showed that the number of people who reported having slept rough before making a homelessness application is at the highest level on record, rising from 1,932 in 2023/24 to 2,465 in 2024/25 — a 28% increase.

There was also a 17% increase in the number of people who slept rough in the three months before seeking support, up from 3,058 to 3,579.