Turning Point, a charity providing lifesaving services for drug addiction in Glasgow, is facing closure of its city site after a significant rent increase from Glasgow City Council's property firm. The charity, which operates the only service of its kind in a city with the highest drug death rate in Scotland, has already experienced severe cash cutbacks in recent years, despite both the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council declaring a drug deaths crisis.
Rent dispute threatens vital service
The council's property firm has demanded a rent that the charity, reliant on public grants, cannot afford. While the council faces budget pressures, critics argue it is unacceptable to let such a vital service close over a rent dispute. The Scottish Government has expressed concern but has not intervened, despite previously announcing a national mission on drug deaths. Observers note that the council tax freeze, which starved local authorities of funds, contributed to the financial strain on frontline services.
Motorway repair delays
Separately, work to repair the Woodside viaducts on the M8 near Charing Cross in Glasgow has been ongoing since 2021, with an estimated completion date by the end of next year. Transport bosses cannot confirm this timeline, and the repairs are only a temporary fix; the viaducts will require further work or possible demolition in the long term. The 1970s structure is crumbling, and the project has faced delays and budget overruns, contrasting with Scotland's historical reputation in civil engineering.
