More than 130 homeless people have died in temporary accommodation in Glasgow in the past three years.
The deaths, which were confirmed by Glasgow City Council, occurred in hotels, flats and other dwellings, prompting a charity to declare an "emergency".
The figures were obtained by Labour from the SNP-led council, the Daily Record reports, confirming 132 deaths between March 2020 and the same month this year. Fifty-one of the deaths occurred in hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Glasgow Labour leader George Redmond said: “This is an absolute scandal and shows the systems for vulnerable people are just not in place. It is also a sign of the decline of Glasgow where lifeline services are continuing to be cut.
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Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said: “That we’re once again discussing the number of people who have died in temporary accommodation is a miserable indictment of Scotland’s completely broken housing system.
“What clearer evidence could there be that we’re in a housing emergency than this?
“We know that delivering more social homes is the only way to end our over reliance on temporary accommodation, but the last Scottish Government budget slashed funding for new social homes.
“We must remember that these tragedies were not inevitable, they didn’t have to happen, and with the right action it is possible to ensure no such tragedy occurs again.
“Social homes can not only change lives, they can save them as well. I would urge the Scottish Government to reflect on that when setting its priorities.”
Lib Dem spokesperson Paul McGarry said: “The tragic deaths of homeless individuals in temporary accommodations serve as a sombre reminder of the urgent need for compassion and comprehensive societal support.
“The Scottish Government need to support local authorities to tackle the stark reality faced by those who lack a permanent place to call home, promoting affordable housing, mental health services, and holistic support systems.”
In November it was revealed that 23 homeless people had died at three hotels after being sent there to safeguard their wellbeing.
An FOI request confirmed that nine people died at the Alexander Thomson Hotel, with seven passing away at the Rennie Mackintosh Station Hotel and another seven at the Queens Park Hotel.
A total of 518 homeless people have died in Scotland since 2019.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “During the three year period referenced, Glasgow had on average 4,500 people with active homeless applications. Sadly, 132 people from this population died while open to homelessness services from poor health and sickness, lifestyle and natural causes.
“In the same period we received 36,000 requests for support and emergency accommodation resulting in a daily hotel B'n'B population of between 650-750.
"While it is regrettable that 51 people died while residing in emergency accommodation, Glasgow Homelessness Health and Social Care services have robust arrangements in place to ensure we target those with multiple and complex care needs with a rigorous audit and review process in place to consider the circumstances of anyone who dies while known to our service.”
