Recent statistics show that homelessness in Scotland has begun to increase for the first time in a decade, and that almost 100 people died while homeless in Scotland over the last year.

The new homelessness plan by the Scottish Government highlights that 25% of homelessness application result from ‘people being asked to leave’ and another 12% from ‘action by landlord’. However, Living Rent said the plan does not provide a vision to prevent such situations.

The tenants’ union added that although “those facing potential eviction from the private rented sector or the social rented sector” are noted as amongst “the groups of people at particular risk of homelessness”, the Scottish Government has yet to announce a plan to sustain tenancies in practice in both the public and the private sector.

Emma Saunders, a member of Living Rent, said: “It is a disgrace that in 2018 people are freezing to death on Scotland’s streets. While tens of thousands of homes lie empty, there can be absolutely no justification for this. The Scottish Government needs to follow the example of France and put an end to this horrendous situation.

“Thousands of people up and down the country have backed our call and it is easy to see why. The ball is now in the Scottish Government’s court and people will be watching closely: we have an opportunity now to stop deaths on our streets and ban winter evictions for good.”