The Sunday Mirror columnist and former Deputy Prime Minister wants to see affordable housing built to combat the increase of people on the streets
This Wednesday, children in Britain will be visited by Santa. Their excitement as they tear through the wrapping paper will warm their parents’ hearts.
But for 80,000 children, their mums and dads will know there’s one thing they can’t give them this Christmas – a permanent home.
Homelessness and rough sleeping are on the rise again thanks to this heartless and senseless government. The housing benefit cap, bedroom tax and the lowest volume of house-building since the 1920s have created a perfect winter storm.
Homeless charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed the number sleeping rough has risen by six per cent in England this year, and by 13 per cent in London. In the past two years, rough sleeping in the capital has increased by more than 60 per cent.
There’s also been a 10 per cent increase in the past year in the number of people in temporary housing, including a 14 per cent rise in the use of B&B accommodation.
These figures have risen in each of the three years since the Coalition was formed – after falling sharply in the previous six years under Labour.
Much of this happened on the watch of the most useless housing minister this country has ever seen, Grant Shapps. A man who tried to stop 700 homes being built at an aerodrome which housed his £100,000 private plane!
But for 80,000 children, their mums and dads will know there’s one thing they can’t give them this Christmas – a permanent home.
Homelessness and rough sleeping are on the rise again thanks to this heartless and senseless government. The housing benefit cap, bedroom tax and the lowest volume of house-building since the 1920s have created a perfect winter storm.
Homeless charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed the number sleeping rough has risen by six per cent in England this year, and by 13 per cent in London. In the past two years, rough sleeping in the capital has increased by more than 60 per cent.
There’s also been a 10 per cent increase in the past year in the number of people in temporary housing, including a 14 per cent rise in the use of B&B accommodation.
These figures have risen in each of the three years since the Coalition was formed – after falling sharply in the previous six years under Labour.
Much of this happened on the watch of the most useless housing minister this country has ever seen, Grant Shapps. A man who tried to stop 700 homes being built at an aerodrome which housed his £100,000 private plane!
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