The economic crisis could result in an increase in the number of people sleeping rough in Glasgow, voluntary sector workers warned yesterday.

Speaking at a credit crunch conference in Glasgow University, Claire Frew, development co-ordinator for the Glasgow Homelessness Network, said more needed to be done to help those at the sharp end of the downturn.

During the conference, attended by delegates from voluntary sector organisations across Scotland, Ms Frew said that figures from Glasgow street services showed that between April and June 2007, there was a 106% increase in the number of people sleeping rough over the same quarter in the previous year.

She said homelessness charities in Glasgow in particular are under "real strain".

Speaking to delegates, who had gathered to discuss ways of lessening the impact of the credit crisis, she quoted a case study concerning a homeless male who presented himself to staff at Glasgow City Council in October seeking accommodation.

According to Ms Frew, he was told by council staff that there was no accommodation available and that he should "access a sleeping bag" from one of the voluntary sector services. The man then slept rough for three nights in Castlemilk before accommodation was arranged for him by the council.

Ms Frew urged local authorities to implement a winter emergency plan for what is becoming a priority issue.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: "No increase in rough sleeping in the city has been reported to the Homelessness Partnership by the Street Team, Glasgow Community Safety Services, Strathclyde Police or other services working with homeless people in the city."

Stewart Maxwell, communities and sport minister, said the Scottish Government will devote approximately £1m to fund additional face-to-face guidance for those in financial difficulty.

Meanwhile, the Office of Fair Trading announced plans to carry out a market study into the home-buying and selling process.