A heavily pregnant woman was reportedly denied accommodation by Glasgow City Council’s social services despite her advanced stage of pregnancy, according to a local homelessness charity. The incident, which occurred late Tuesday, has raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals by the council’s emergency housing services.

The woman, who was 34 weeks pregnant and 26 years old, sought shelter at a night facility operated by the Homeless Project Scotland in Glasgow city centre. After volunteers at the shelter called the council’s emergency social services line to secure her accommodation, she was transported by taxi to the council’s emergency office around midnight. However, following what the charity described as a “four-hour interrogation,” she was sent back to the shelter without being offered any housing support.

Colin McInnes, chief executive of Homeless Project Scotland, stated that upon learning the details of the case, he contacted the operations manager of the out-of-hours social services team. According to McInnes, he was informed that the woman had come from London to escape domestic violence, and that responsibility for her social care lay with London authorities, not Glasgow’s. McInnes disputed this, pointing out that she was physically present in Glasgow and needed immediate assistance given her imminent due date.

McInnes further alleged that the woman was told by council staff that “an unborn child does not have rights,” a comment he said demonstrated a concerning disregard for both the mother and child’s welfare. Because the council would not provide accommodation, the charity arranged for the woman to sleep on a mattress on the floor of their shelter. McInnes said she left the shelter at 8:30 a.m. intending to spend the day on the streets, but was later located by volunteers who helped direct her back to social services.

The Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, which manages social services on behalf of the council and the NHS, said it is reviewing the case and has engaged with the woman, confirming she is receiving appropriate support.

The incident has drawn criticism amid ongoing debates over homelessness policies. McInnes called on Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, who has overseen a national effort to end rough sleeping in England backed by £442 million in funding, to extend control over homelessness services in Scotland. Burnham pledged in July to end rough sleeping in England, launching a nationwide campaign focused on providing housing and support to vulnerable groups.

The case underscores challenges faced by authorities in coordinating cross-border support for homeless individuals and the complexities involved in providing emergency accommodation to those with urgent health needs.