UK officials tampering with rough-sleeping data: Report
Officials in the United Kingdom have been deliberately tampering with the data on rough-sleeping in order to hide the real scale of the crisis in the country, according to a new report.
The Guardian newspaper said on Monday that statistics provided by councils in England had been tampered with so that officials could show that destitution and rough-sleeping in their areas had decreased last year.
The newspaper said the reported 2-percent fall in rough-sleeping in England last year was not true because councils had decided to change their counting methods in a deliberate bid to pretend that the crisis was under control.
The report said more than 30 councils had switched to a new system of counting rough-sleepers which takes into account a one-night snapshot of the problem on the streets of their cities. It said, however, that under the previous and more accepted model, statistics are collected in cooperation with agencies who work closely with rough sleepers in their areas all year round.
The Guardian said the new counting system had enabled councils to report reductions in rough-sleeping of up to 85 percent for the year covering 2017 and 2018. The reported decrease came following seven years of consecutive rises in the problem and amid increasing reports, images and videos published in the media showing more and more people were bedding down on the street, in doorways, parks, tents and sheds.
The Conservative-led government, which until recently had denied its austerity measures had played a role in increased homelessness and rough-sleeping across Britain, reacted to the reports that had challenged the authenticity of rough-sleeping figures.
“These claims are an insult to the hardworking outreach workers, local charities, and other groups that collate these figures and are independently verified by Homeless Link,” said a junior minister responsible for homelessness.
The official said UK was determined to eradicate rough-sleeping despite reports showing the problem is on the rise.
“We have set out bold plans to end rough sleeping – and these figures show our work is already making a difference,” said the minister.
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