UK homeless crisis worsening
Bianca Rahimi
Press TV, London
In the UK the number of people sleeping on the streets has surged to record highs. Every now and again the discussion surfaces in the media and the blame game commences. However there are many layers to the problem and the only thing that’s certain is it’s only getting worse.
The authorities say it is unacceptable for people to be living like this in modern day Britain, one of the strongest economies in the world, but the unfortunate truth is that every day, around 22 people face their first night on the streets of London alone.
According to the Combined Homelessness and Information Network nearly 4,000 people slept rough across the capital from July to September 2019. That’s 28 per cent more than during the same period last year. The majority are very vulnerable.
Less visible types of homelessness like sofa-surfing or living in temporary accommodation are rising too. Councils are housing people in cramped substandard conditions in converted office buildings and shipping containers in exchange for a large chunk of their benefits money. A spokesperson for the ministry of housing, communities and local government has said, “Nationally the number of people sleeping on our streets has fallen for the first time in eight years but there is still much more to do. In London we’ve given councils £24.5m under our Rough Sleeping Initiative to enhance and develop their ability to tackle rough sleeping.”
Some say such initiatives have failed though - that there is an absence of long-term funds for council services, and a shortfall between housing benefit and the actual cost of renting. Charities are in overdrive setting up temporary shelters and encouraging people to report to them when they see people sleeping rough, which is not only uncomfortable dangerous and degrading, but illegal under the vagrancy act.
UK govt. Rwanda bill denounced as 'state-sponsored people trafficking'
Iran president visits Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural hub
Pres. Raeisi says Iran, Pakistan resolved to boost ties on all levels
VIDEO | UK govt. Rwanda bill denounced as 'state-sponsored people trafficking'
VIDEO | Iran president visits Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural hub
North Korea: US military drills drive regional security into turmoil
UN agency chief for Palestinians urges probe into staff killings
200 days of Israeli war on Gaza and 200 headlines whitewashing genocide
VIDEO | 200 days of US-Israeli genocide
Iran’s security chief in Russia to underline Israel’s aggression
VIDEO | Smoke rises from Gaza as fighting continues
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
