by Lucy Ashton
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has used a visit to Glasgow City Mission to set out his party’s plans for tackling drug deaths and homelessness.
The party’s manifesto sets out plans for:
- Introducing a Young Homeless Guarantee recognising the additional challenges for young homeless people, with special pathways to link suitable jobs and training to housing.
- Developing a system of aftercare to respond to the disadvantage experienced by children when their family is homeless or in temporary accommodation for long-term.
- Prioritising prevention and enhancing support for those at risk of homelessness due to circumstances including mental ill health or drug misuse, care experience, imprisonment, or domestic violence.
The party commits to combat the harms caused by drugs by:
- Creating world-class drug services for Scotland by 2030
- Championing Mother and Child Recovery Houses for those affected by substance abuse and new intensive community-based perinatal services, using the funding secured by Scottish Liberal Democrats in the 2025/26 Scottish Budget.
- Rolling out a Scotland-wide network of safer drug consumption facilities, continually learning from Glasgow’s experience while recognising the inherent risk to life elsewhere.
- Introducing a multi-year funding model for all drug and alcohol services
Alex Cole-Hamilton, left, said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats know that a warm, safe, affordable place to live is the foundation on which people build their lives. Everyone deserves a place to call home.
“However, homelessness has reached record levels. Thousands of children are stuck in temporary accommodation, doing their homework in a single room, changing schools, losing friendships, and falling behind.
“Shockingly, the SNP and Greens together cut £200 million from the affordable homes budget during a housing emergency. Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats voted against that cut and put the money back in the budget the following year.
“Now, we will ensure that everyone can access housing that meets their needs. We will help you live close to where you need to be, whether it’s for work, family, or because it’s where you belong.
“We will also invest in finally creating world-class drug services for Scotland by 2030
“Scottish LIberal Democrats have a realistic plan for combatting homelessness and the harms inflicted by drugs. No matter where you are, you can back that plan by voting for us on your Peach Regional ballot.”