It barely seems possible but the number of homeless people in Scotland continues to escalate wildly.
The situation, as reported in this newspaper on many occasions, is out of control.
Today we hear of record numbers of people reporting themselves as experienced in street sleeping this year.
And a quick stroll along the city streets in Glasgow will reveal that things are amiss. Many corners feature a begging bowl and every outstretched hand is a very real human tragedy.
Some of those begging are making homes from cardboard boxes and others may be living in dingy hostels. Others attract mistrust as they are perceived to be “at it”, begging as a source of income.
But the truth of the matter is that each and every person, young and old, who finds themselves sitting on a cold pavement as Christmas approaches is living proof of lives going badly wrong.
It is now widely acknowledged that massive mistakes were made in failing to build enough homes to cope with changes in the Scottish population.
But we have to move faster to get people into homes that are worth the name.
Scotland has to get empty homes fit for habitation, through repurposing and renovation. And we need to stop the log-jam that has stalled many projects.
The Scottish Government and councils need act with social landlords and housebuilders to get projects moving faster.
Fuel payment is right thing to do
The Labour Government’s means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment was not its finest moment.
Tory chaos made difficult decisions inevitable but a harsh means-test as energy prices rose was a poor decision. So it is welcome news that the SNP Government is expected to reverse the cut by reinstating some form of universal payment.
Devolution was about making decisions to benefit Scotland and our cold climate necessitates a different choice. The announcement follows Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also saying a Government led by him would reverse the cut.
The SNP and Labour regularly trade blows and cross-party cooperation is rare. But they both agree the Labour Government means-test was a mistake and their alternatives seem similar.
Swinney and Sarwar should get round the table to ensure a modern WFP is implemented as quickly as possible.
Older Scots need support now and party rivalry should be put to one side.
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