Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Housing

Homelessness in England rises yet again

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says the government is responsible for a ‘national disgrace’

The government may have taken measures to tackle the housing crisis in the recent Budget, but the scale of the challenge becomes more daunting with every passing month.

The latest figures show homelessness has increased once again. Councils across England accepted 15,290 individuals or families as statutorily homeless between July and September – a 6% rise on the previous quarter.

The latest government statistics also show just over 79,000 individuals or families in temporary accommodation – a staggering 65% rise since the end of 2010.

On Wednesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the government of presiding over “a national disgrace” when it comes to homelessness and rough sleeping.

Corbyn cited the fact they had both risen every single year since the Conservatives took power in 2010.

“When it comes to housing, this government has been an absolute disgrace,” he said.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“After seven years, more people are living on the streets, more families in temporary accommodation, more families in homes not fit for human habitation and fewer people owning their own home.”

We don’t want to see people without a roof over their head

Prime Minister Theresa May responded: “We don’t want to see people without a roof over their head. That’s why we’re committed to halving rough sleeping by 2022 and eliminating it by 2027.”

On Thursday, the High Court ruled that the Home Office was not entitled to deport rough sleepers from the European Economic Area (EAA) if they are in the UK legally.

In 2016, the Home Office said it considering sleeping on the streets was an abuse of freedom of movement principles.

The Public Interest Law Unit (PILU) and North East London Migrant Action (NELMA) had raised the case.

Photo: Matthew Woitunski, licensed under Creative Commons.

Join The Ride Out Recession Alliance

The Ride Out Recession Alliance (RORA) will develop and implement practical steps and solutions to prevent families losing their homes, and help people remain in employment.

Learn More
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
Housing First promised to be a silver bullet to solve homelessness. Why are we still waiting?  
Housing First

Housing First promised to be a silver bullet to solve homelessness. Why are we still waiting?  

Should stamp duty be scrapped?
Kemi Badenoch
Stamp duty

Should stamp duty be scrapped?

Yo-yo Homes 'indefensible' and highlight broken system, MPs say after Big Issue's Right to Buy exposé
housing secretary Steve Reed with a red line over his face next to a block of flats
Right to Buy

Yo-yo Homes 'indefensible' and highlight broken system, MPs say after Big Issue's Right to Buy exposé

Number of homeless children in England hits yet another record high: 'When will this end?'
the shadow of a young girl
Homelessness

Number of homeless children in England hits yet another record high: 'When will this end?'

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Every day, Big Issue digs deeper – speaking up for those society overlooks. Will you help us keep doing this work?