Scots without a home

The number of applications for homelessness status in Scotland has gone up for the first time nine years, according to official figures.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said the "shocking" statistics should start alarm bells ringing in Holyrood. Mr Brown also warned the figures were "clear evidence" that the good progress made in recent years was now being reversed.

"Every 18 minutes a household was made homeless in Scotland last year with 34,972 homelessness applications - more than last year. For the fourth year in a row the number of homeless children living in temporary accommodation has risen - up 9% to 6,615. And people are having to stay longer in temporary accommodation with their lives in limbo."