Glasgow homeless hotel owners get massive jump in cash from council
The cash paid to owners, some of who own several hotels, has rocketed by almost 70% in a year.
In 2023/24 it was £26,724,422. Last year, the total bill was £45,292,346.
The year before the bill was £20,368,474, meaning the money paid to open increased by 122% in just two years.
Our sister title, The Glasgow Times, have been highlighting the conditions people live in with a campaign launched last year.
Mike Dailly, Solicitor Advocate at Govan Law Centre has called for a new approach where the public sector provides accommodation.
He said: "It is lunacy and such a waste of Scottish taxpayers and Glasgow council taxpayers' money to keep throwing millions of pounds at poor quality and super expensive homeless hotels in our city. People should have dignity and taxpayers should get value for money.
Read More
Families could be stuck on Scottish housing list for more than 100 years
'We need to build our own temporary accommodation and work with housing associations to build temporary accommodation. That would ensure high-quality temporary homes for homeless people. It really is a no-brainer.
The bill could have been higher as not everyone who needs it is able to get a room in one of the 40 hotels.
The data also revealed that on 3058 occasions, someone was refused emergency accommodation in the last year.
The council said this is because all rooms were full.
The information was requested by the Scottish Tenants Organisation.
Sean Clerkin, campaign director, said: 'The housing and homeless disaster in Glasgow only worsens, ruining the lives of thousand of men, women and children, whether they be the new refugee to the city or the family that was evicted yesterday for rent arrears in Maryhill.
'The profiteers of homeless misery continue to make their tens of millions of pounds unabated, with no improvement in the basic conditions of the homeless, especially women and children and 3,058 people are still refused homeless accommodation. Those sleeping on the streets of Glasgow doubled in number from 154 to 323 in the space of weeks.
He agreed with Mr Dailly on a new approach.
Mr Clerkin added: Mike Dailly the top housing lawyer and columnist for the Glasgow Times has repeatedly stated correctly that tens of millions of pounds can be re-directed to Glasgow City Council to directly build good quality temporary accommodation especially safe single sex halfway accommodation for women and children and then move them rapidly on to safe and secure permanent homes.
'This cannot and must not be allowed to continue, as there has to be a housing revolution in Glasgow.'
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'We're duty-bound to find and provide emergency accommodation to those affected by homelessness.
"We are having to spend more and more on hotels and bed & breakfast use in our attempts to meet the increasing demand for accommodation and avoid people having to sleep rough.
'Unfortunately, we are aware of a rise in the number of refusals for accommodation - this happens when there is no accommodation available. We currently use 40 hotels across the city to accommodate those whom we have a confirmed duty for.
'There is no quick alternative. We are in continual dialogue with both Governments about these challenges and continue to seek the additional resources necessary to address the challenges we are facing.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
7 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Justice Secretary faces complaint about SNP material on taxpayer-funded website
A spokesperson for Angela Constance said "action was taken" after issues about her MSP website were brought to her attention. Justice Secretary Angela Constance has been accused of breaching Holyrood rules over SNP material on her taxpayer-funded website. A complaint was lodged on Friday alleging SNP logos were used on Angela Constance 's MSP website, which must not promote a political party. The material has been taken down. A spokesperson for Constance said: "Upon being made aware of this issue, action was taken to rectify the matter." Constance is a key member of John Swinney's Cabinet and the SNP MSP for Almond Valley. Holyrood rules say that publications funded from parliamentary resources must not relate to an MSP 's work as a Minister. Party political logos are also not allowed on MSP websites funded by Holyrood. The complaint alleges Constance has breached the policy on multiple counts and a dossier has been passed to Holyrood authorities. Included are links to articles on the site which feature Constance in her role as Justice Secretary. Press releases which display the SNP 's logo are also part of the complaint. The complaint states: 'Angela Constance is using the publicly funded site to promote her work as a Scottish Government Minister, including updates and announcements clearly related to her ministerial responsibilities, rather than her role as a constituency MSP. 'The site includes party-political content and references that go beyond the factual, non-partisan remit expected of Parliament-funded communications. 'Angela Constance's website features SNP logos and party branding, which are clearly in breach of this rule. These visual elements are prominent and repeated, leaving no ambiguity as to their nature.' The complainant has called for a Holyrood probe into Constance's MSP website. The Justice Secretary was criticised last year after allowing her son to travel to an Old Firm match in her ministerial car. A Scottish Labour source said: "It's not enough that Angela Constance expects taxpayers to foot the bill for her chauffeur-driven trips to Old Firm matches, now she wants the public to pay for SNP propaganda online too. "This is part of a wider culture of entitlement we've seen time and again from senior SNP figures. Neil Gray also used taxpayer-funded chauffeurs to get to football games. Michael Matheson racked up thousands on his iPad roaming bill and tried to blame his kids before finally resigning. "The message is clear: the SNP think the rules don't apply to them and they treat taxpayers with complete contempt.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: 'The Parliament's policies reflect that parliamentary resources cannot be used for party political purposes. As a matter of standard practice we won't comment on or confirm receipt of complaints.'
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside SNP's internal battle as ‘real reason' for Kate Forbes resignation revealed
Her Scottish Government critics have been described as a 'nest of vipers' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATE Forbes decided to quit Holyrood after tiring of being undermined by Cabinet colleagues, insiders have claimed. The Deputy First Minister revealed she will depart in May for more time with husband Alasdair and daughter Naomi. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 Kate Forbes will stand down as an MSP next year 3 MSP Kate Forbes plays with her daughter Naomi at nursery in Scottish Parliament Credit: Euan Cherry - Commissioned by The Times 3 Kate Forbes with husband Ali and their daughter Naomi Credit: EPA It came as a source described her critics in the Scottish Government as 'like a nest of vipers" who made her life "as difficult as possible." The Deputy First Minister chose daughter Naomi's third birthday to tell boss John Swinney she was ditching the cauldron of Holyrood to enjoy 'the precious early years of family life'. But party sources said Ms Forbes had also grown tired of being 'undermined' by cabinet colleagues who saw her as a threat to Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan — seen as a future Nats leader. One insider said: 'Perhaps if Kate hadn't been getting tripped up at every step by people who are meant to be on her side then she would have stayed on. 'But given the personal sacrifices, it is clearly not worth the effort any longer. 'The family issues are clearly a huge factor for Kate but may not have been insurmountable if other things were different.' In her letter to the First Minister, Ms Forbes, 35, said she had given 'careful thought' to her future before deciding she 'does not wish to seek re-election' at next May's Scottish Parliament elections. And she told broadcaster LBC of a lack of 'support' for parents at Holyrood. She added: 'I'm not the first mum who's also an MSP to cite motherhood as a reason for standing down.' The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP since 2016 said: 'It is partly because of the eight-hour return drive I do every week, and the minimum five-hour drive across the constituency. Kate Forbes picks her biggest scandal of the SNP's time in power 'It's one thing to try to get home every night to see them, it's another to face the prospect of going full weeks without being there.' Another source said: 'John Swinney simply saw Kate as window dressing for a certain section of the Scottish electorate. 'Swinney has not had the courage to stand up to the likes of McAllan and [Education Secretary] Jenny Gilruth. "They will think they've won, but the SNP will be in a worse place and in a worse position electorally without Forbes.' And former SNP special adviser Geoff Aberdein said there was 'no doubt' Ms McAllan has ambitions to rival Westminster chief Stephen Flynn as Mr Swinney's heir apparent — but both lacked Ms Forbes' economic competence. Mr Aberdein told the Holyrood Sources podcast: 'I'm not saying there aren't people in the party who are viewed as credible in the business community, but nowhere near as credible as Kate Forbes. 'There will be some in the party who will be quite pleased by this decision which really frustrates me because, whether you agree with her brand of politics or not, she is a huge electoral asset.' Now a managing partner at the True North think tank, Mr Aberdein said he has been inundated with messages from business leaders lamenting Ms Forbes' departure. He said: 'She's extremely credible to the business community and that is a gap that John Swinney is going to have to fill. 'That is a major problem and I hope it is not a major recalibration, because if you don't have voices within your party that can speak to that then that is a huge weakness.' A senior Scottish Government source rejected the claims that cabinet rivalry was a factor in Ms Forbes quitting. They said: 'This is utter rubbish. Kate has set out her reasons for standing down.' And Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville dismissed claims that Ms Forbes threw in the towel because she had become disenchanted with the SNP. She said: 'Political hacks are trying to find another angle but maybe, just maybe, it's about someone doing what's best for her and her family.' Ms Forbes, who married husband Alasdair MacLennan in 2021, became the Scottish Government's youngest Finance Secretary when she succeeded shamed Derek Mackay in 2020. She came under fire for her views on gay marriage, abortion and trans rights. And she publicly opposed Nicola Sturgeon's doomed plan to allow people to legally change sex through self-declaration. Several senior Scottish Government figures rejected Ms Forbes' stance, including Mr Swinney, despite his own Christian faith. Her profile continued to rise, however, and in 2023 she narrowly lost to Humza Yousaf in a bitter SNP leadership race. Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry acknowledged the Deputy First Minister's announcement that she was stepping down to spend more time with family but said there is 'probably a bit more to it than meets the eye'. She said: 'I have the utmost respect for Kate and I think it's a bit of a disaster for the SNP.' Former SNP MP Angus MacNeill, said: 'Kate wouldn't be walking away if there was a prospect of the SNP delivering independence.' He added: 'When there is no strategy, just cluelessness, a groundhog five years at Westminster's devolved parliament ain't so appealing.' Mr Swinney said: 'I pay tribute to Kate for her invaluable contribution to public life over the last ten years. "The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made, although I wish it was not the case.'
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
John Curtice: SNP majority in 2026 ‘extremely unlikely'
"What is [[John Swinney]] doing? He is saying to people: if you want independence, vote [[SNP]]. Do not vote for Alba, do not vote for the Greens." READ MORE The First Minister's plan has proved controversial in the party, with rebels set to attempt to amend it at conference in October. One change that has the backing of 43 branches is to make a majority of list votes for pro-independence parties in 2026 a mandate for independence negotiations with the UK Government. "[[John Swinney]] does not want there to be a fragmented list vote," Prof Curtice told the audience in Edinburgh's Summerhall. "He wants people to vote for the SNP. The challenge facing the SNP — the thing that has not changed in Scottish politics despite the turbulence of the last two and a half years — is support for independence. We are still around 50/50 on the independence question. "Although you hear a lot of talk of people not being concerned about independence anymore, just tell that to most unionist voters. Most unionist voters are deeply concerned about independence. "Very few people now are willing to vote for the SNP if they are opposed to independence. That is in complete contrast to the position in 2011." Professor Sir John Curtice at The Herald's Unspun Live (Image: Colin Mearns/NQ) Then, he said, around 40% of people who supported devolution but not independence voted for the SNP. But now the party was not picking up any new No voters and was only winning around three-fifths of independence supporters. Even if the SNP were to win a majority of seats, the academic said it was unlikely the UK Government would agree to a referendum. Last week's comments from the First Minister marked a change in strategy. Previously, the party said a "democratic majority" of pro-independence MSPs after the 2026 election should pave the way to a new vote. Mr Swinney said: "The necessity of independence is absolutely paramount and we have got to make that case in the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. "But there is a logjam and we have got to break that logjam. "We demonstrated how we break the logjam in the past, by electing a majority of SNP MSPs in 2011, and that led to an independence referendum in 2014." He invited supporters of independence to back his party in the constituency vote and to "demand independence" in the regional vote. Asked about how popular the First Minister is, Prof Curtice said Mr Swinney numbers had "been kind of steady since he became First Minister." "He is not as popular now as he was when he was Deputy First Minister," he added. "In an era of fragmented politics, that is still good enough to make him the least unpopular politician in Scotland." He added: "Anas Sarwar is still suffering from the shadow of Sir Keir Starmer. Kemi Badenoch — who is she? Nigel Farage is very strong and popular among a section of Scottish and British society." He said around 40% of Leave voters in Scotland were set to vote for Reform next year. Asked for predictions for next year's election, Prof Curtice said he thought it would be "child's play" for Reform to win at least 10 seats. Prof Curtice and Kevin McKenna and the Herald's Hannah Brown in conversation (Image: Colin Mearns/NQ) "I think Kemi Badenoch is becoming more effective, but it is very much a work in progress. The problem the Tories face is that Reform are not just taking voters, they are taking donors, they are taking people. "It is very difficult to see any outcome other than the SNP still providing government. What remains highly uncertain is how strong it will be. It could be as low as 45 seats. I think the maximum at the moment is 55 seats. "But 55 seats — you have only got to find one party to make a deal. With 45 you have got to find two, and that becomes much more difficult. "I think at the moment it is a race between Reform and Labour over who comes second, and unless the popularity of the Labour government improves, Labour may find themselves in much the same position as they are at the moment." "The lesson of the last Westminster parliament is not to presume that the outcome of the last election is going to determine what happens at the next one," he added. READ MORE Prof Curtice was also asked about Kate Forbes's decision to stand down at the next election. He described the outgoing Deputy First Minister as "one of the most talented politicians within the current parliament". "Some of us are old enough to remember those promises 25 years ago of a family-friendly parliament," he added. "She is not the only person who has found it difficult to combine parenthood with being an MSP. To that extent, I think the Parliament should reflect back on whether or not it is going to make it possible for people with young children, particularly those in rural constituencies, to be MSPs."
