Don
It’s a good few years ago now but the local press in Aberdeen did an investigation into begging in the town centre and found most were professional beggars taking in £200-400 a day and then went home at night.Yeah it is becoming more common because they found out that they can make more money begging than working.
Also some people claiming benefits can make more money than some working ones.
Actual homelessness doesn’t seem to have worsened with the downturn. Always been 2-3 folk in the doorways along Union Street sleeping rough.