© shelter.org.uk
Children homeless this Christmas – the result of Tory austerity
More than 80 children in Hastings will be homeless this Christmas according to Shelter. And the number is rising. The latest analysis by the housing charity indicates that 83 children in our town will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation – far from the comfort of home. Rick Dillon of the local Labour Party investigates.
Shelter has calculated that 131,000 children will be homeless in temporary accommodation in Britain this Christmas, the highest number in over a decade. Back in 2013, 50 children were in temporary accommodation in the Hastings area whilst the new figure is a 63% increase over five years. This suggests that, under Tory austerity, things are getting worse for those in the greatest need – despite the efforts of cash-strapped voluntary agencies.
Responding to the shocking figures, Peter Chowney, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Hastings & Rye, said:
“This appalling rise in homelessness is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative ministers, among them our present MP, Amber Rudd. Homelessness fell at an unprecedented rate under Labour, but after eight years of the Tories, it is shameful that 83 children in Hastings will be without a home this Christmas.
“It’s no surprise that homelessness is rising rapidly when the Conservatives have slashed investment in new affordable homes, refused to help private renters and made huge cuts to housing benefit and homelessness services.
The next Labour government promises to end rough sleeping within a Parliament, and tackle the root causes of rising homelessness with a million new low-cost homes and stronger rights for renters – see their housing mini-manifesto.
Since 2010, the Conservatives have:
- slashed investment in affordable homes, leading to an 80% fall in the number of social rented homes being built
- refused to back Labour’s proposals for greater stability and control on costs in the private rented sector;
- made deep cuts to housing benefit and
- slashed funding for homelessness services by 70%.
The increase in homelessness appears to be a direct result of these Tory austerity policies.
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3 Comments
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Well said Siobhan Moore – Peter Chowney spends far too much time putting others down rather than concentrating directly on the problems here in Hastings. He is part and parcel to obtaining millions of pounds in loans from the Public Works Loan Board and yet closes the one main public lavatory in the town causing embarrassment and difficulties to many including visitors to this town. His council could so easily have renovated this public facility for not much money. I understand it cost circa £150.000 to demolish this important facility.
Where is the evidence that any of this financial activity is of benefit to children and families and the vulnerable in Hastings?
How much longer can he pull the wool over people’s eyes?
Comment by Ms.Doubtfire — Thursday, Jan 3, 2019 @ 08:43
Mr Chowney. Spend less on fruitless consultaions which cost hundreds, the results of which go unheeded. Put those man hour funds towards the homeless. Stop winging and be positive on most things. Your boss in the HOC never stops.
Comment by Mr Hippolyte Grigg — Monday, Dec 24, 2018 @ 08:46
I am a labor supporter through and through, however I am incredulous that Peter Chowney in his current position would rather spend time putting others down than doing something about the homelessness issue.
yet not unexpected from a leader who cuts services in the town frequently, Town Centre Toilets spring to mind which has affected the elderly and disabled significantly and spends public money on unnecessary re-branding projects to the tune of thousands.
More action is needed not words, where are your actions and comittment to pledges to improve this situation and for the record at least Amber Rudd contacts the Director of Childrens Service’s to resolve issues.
Man up and stop moaning.
Comment by siobhan Moore — Thursday, Dec 20, 2018 @ 10:59