WITH the snow falling and the wind swirling, Graeme Weir took out his phone and captured the scene before him. He then jumped onto social media, posted the picture, and wrote a simple, but passionate, caption. 

Days later it had been seen by thousands and was at the heart of nationwide outcry about homelessness and food poverty in Glasgow. 

It was a scene many hoped had been consigned to the history books and on first glance could easily have been mistaken as the set of a Soviet era movie being filmed in the city. 

READ MORE: Massive £178m-funded alliance to tackle Glasgow's homelessness revealed

However, last week in George Square, just yards from the City Chambers, there was not a single actor in sight as hundreds of people queued in subzero temperatures for something to eat. 

Glasgow Times: Graeme's picture went viral last week Graeme's picture went viral last week

Were it not for Graeme and the rest of the volunteers from the Kindness Homeless Street Team – one of a number of groups and charities operating every night in Glasgow – braving the effects of Storm Darcy, many have asked what might have happened to those who needed their help most. 

It’s also caused outcry amongst the city’s political leaders who say the scene – compared to a struggling communist state in Graeme’s viral post – is not unique and should never have been allowed to happen. 

READ PART ONE OF OUR SPECIAL REPORT: Glasgow homeless found 'trembling and shaking' on streets during Storm Darcy

“The pictures of people queueing for emergency food in George Square are heart-breaking but unfortunately not an isolated case,”said Christy Mearns, a Green councillor.

“People going hungry in Scotland at any time is unacceptable, but during a deadly pandemic and in adverse weather it is a truly shocking indictment of both the Scottish and UK Governments.

Glasgow Times: Christy Mearns said homelessness and food poverty was a political choice Christy Mearns said homelessness and food poverty was a political choice

“Poverty is a political choice.”

Just last year, Glasgow City Council – which has the legal responsibility for homelessness – launched an alliance to tackle the problem with a budget of more than £185 million over the next decade. 

Local authority chiefs say they are also housing more than 500 people in hotels in the city and providing three meals a day. 

However, cllr Mearns added: “It’s imperative that everyone presenting as homeless to the council is now provided with secure, permanent accommodation.”

Last week, Scottish Government housing minister Kevin Stewart promised he would look into the circumstances behind the picture and said more than £130 million had been pledged to help people in food poverty, but other city councillors say this hasn’t gone far enough. 

“These scenes were absolutely heartbreaking to see and it’s appalling that this is still occurring in Glasgow in 2021,” said Thomas Kerr, the city’s Tory group leader. “As we continue to fight the pandemic, too many people are falling through the support systems that are in place and urgent action must be taken.” 

Glasgow Times: Thomas Kerr Thomas Kerr

Labour leader Malcolm Cunning agreed, saying: “Years and years of cuts to services and to social security have a devastating impact. This is the direct consequence of that. 

“No-one in our communities should be going hungry – and no-one should be forced to be reliant on food banks.” 

As many critics have been quick to point out, it’s likely most people visiting foodbanks and soup kitchens last week were not on the streets and instead struggling amid the loss of jobs and income during the pandemic. 

Glasgow Times: Volunteers at a number of organisations across Glasgow were out supporting people last week Volunteers at a number of organisations across Glasgow were out supporting people last week

Across the UK, a record high number of people were made redundant between April and October. While no Glasgow-specific figures have been published yet, scores of workers found themselves out of work in major city sectors last year. 

Child poverty also increased more in the city than anywhere else in Scotland. 

“It is worth pointing out that this queue was almost as big at the height of summer, as it is now in the coldest depths of winter,” cllr Cunning added. “It’s time that the UK and Scottish Governments put fighting poverty and tackling deprivation at the heart of what they do.” 

Glasgow Times: Malcolm Cunning said more had to be done to tackle poverty in the city Malcolm Cunning said more had to be done to tackle poverty in the city

Cllr Kerr added: “Ministers and councillors should use these scenes as a wake-up call to demand greater funding for those people and organisations who need it urgently across Glasgow.”

Mhairi Hunter, City Convener for Health and Social Care, said: "The Council and our partners have accommodated thousands of people made homeless during the pandemic - and will accommodate anyone who comes forward or is referred to us. We have distributed millions of pounds in funding for food, paid out hundreds of crisis grants and provided many other forms of support for vulnerable people.

“However while the key driver of poverty remains in place - a punitive and inhumane UK benefits system - there will tragically continue to be people who find themselves in crisis."

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “We continue to work with a range of organisations to provide support to homeless people in the city – including three meals a day for those 500 people currently accommodated in city hotels. 

“It is clear that the pandemic is having an impact on people from across society and exacerbating existing social challenges. 

“We would urge anyone who encounters a vulnerable person to get in touch with us or those partner organisations which provide accommodation and assistance so that we can ensure they are getting immediate and longer-term support.” 

This is one part of our special report into homelessness and food poverty in Glasgow. You can read more here.