After eight years of Conservative austerity, we are seeing destitution re-appearing on our streets - Greenwood

Margaret Greenwood MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting on a new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which has found that over 1.5 million people experienced destitution in the UK at some point during 2017, said:

“The findings of this report are shocking. After eight years of Conservative austerity, we are seeing destitution re-appearing on our streets.

“People with so little that they cannot afford the basics of life that most people take for granted are being forced to rely on charity and foodbanks.

“A chronic shortage of affordable housing, coupled with the freeze in housing benefit means that many people are struggling to cope with rapidly rising rents.

“Labour would build the truly affordable housing that we so desperately need. The next Labour government will end the benefits freeze, scrap the punitive sanctions regime and ensure that our social security system supports people in their time of need.”