Figures show the number of households assessed as rough sleeping
across England have soared by 39.4% in the past year, up from
8,310 to 11,580.
Liberal Democrat MP , who this
week held a House of Commons debate on rough sleeping, has called
on the government to take action to live up to their manifesto
commitment of ending rough sleeping across the country stating
that we are “in dire need of action”.
The Lib Dem MP also called out the "heartless" cut to Universal
Credit saying that it would "plunge even more people into
poverty."
The figures show a huge rise in rough sleeping across the
nation's capital London, with a 66% increase in rough sleeping
bringing the total to a staggering 11,580.
Commenting on the stats, Liberal Democrat MP said:
"With rough sleeping figures tragically spiralling one thing is
clear; we are in dire need of action from this Government who
made a manifesto promise to end rough sleeping.
"Yet, despite making this promise, they are working against this
goal. They have failed to scrap the Vagrancy Act, which
criminalises rough sleepers, and their heartless cut to the
Universal Credit uplift will plunge even more people into
poverty.
"The Conservatives need to get serious about eliminating rough
sleeping or risk breaking yet another promise to some of the most
vulnerable people in our society.
"The Liberal Democrats understand that we need to treat rough
sleepers like people, giving them the support they want and need
on an individual basis. That starts by scrapping the Vagrancy
Act, rolling out Housing First across England, and the Government
committing to long-term funding for councils to give them the
certainty they need."
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Original figures are taken from here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-financial-year-2020-21
