A Glasgow MSP has questioned a homeless food project’s quest for premises to allow it to stop feeding people outdoors.

Homeless Project Scotland, which runs a food kitchen giving out hundreds of meals a week under the Hielanman's Umbrella, has been asking Glasgow City Council for a building to take people indoors.

The council has said it is working to identify a site but the operation continues outside.

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John Mason SNP MSP for Shettleston, one of the most deprived areas of the city, said there were already charities operating indoors.

He thanked the charity for its work but asked if another building was needed.

In a letter to Homeless Project Scotland, Mason said: “I certainly do welcome the work yourselves and other charities like Glasgow City Mission and the Lodging House Mission are doing for our homeless fellow citizens.

“Over the years GCM and LHM have developed buildings near the city centre where hot food and other support can be provided. 

“Are we really needing another building? Can you give me any assurance that Homeless Project Scotland is working with GCM and LHM? 

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“My preference would be that this work is done jointly (including with Glasgow City Council) rather than having various charities competing with each other.”

Glasgow Times:

He responded after the charity urged MSPs to back a motion by Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow Labour MSP, supporting the charity.

The motion got the support of 31 MSPs including 15 Labour, 11 Tory, two LibDems, two Greens and one SNP.

Five Glasgow MSPs supported the motion, three labour and two Tory, but none of the eight SNP have signed.

Glasgow Times:

In the motion, Duncan-Glancy said she: “Calls on the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to find the Homeless Project Scotland a premises within the city so that it can continue to undertake what it sees as its vital work indoors, offering dignity and respect to the people who need its support.”

The charity operates the food kitchen three nights a week and people regularly queue up in advance of the service opening in the evening.

Glasgow Times:

Colin McInnes, of Homeless Project Scotland, said: ”We feel disappointed and let down that the party in power in the city and the country doesn’t support a motion to help a charity providing support to the homeless find suitable premises so we no longer need to provide people with food outside on the street.”