“The UK is the sixth biggest economy on the planet; it ought to be capable of putting a roof over the head of every citizen, but the fact that it does not is the direct consequence of failed Conservative austerity policies. The people have no place to call home, which is a tragic reminder that the government’s continuing cuts are destroying lives.
“I want to thank Unite’s members at St Mungo’s for the incredible work they do to provide help for people in need all the year round, but especially at this time of year, when the weather can be so cruel and unforgiving.
“I also want to thank Sadiq Khan for the work his office does to put roofs over heads and to remind us all that we can’t just walk on by in 2019.”
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Unite’s action followed the publication of a government report on homelessness statistics in 2018, which showed an overall slight fall in rough sleeping in England – but continued increases in London, with figures for the capital at a record high.
Of 4,677 rough sleepers counted in England, 1,283 were found in London alone, a 13% increase on the previous year. Stephen Robertson, CEO of The Big Issue’s charitable arm The Big Issue Foundation, said of the government figures: “It’s unacceptable that anyone has to sleep on the streets, never mind this volume of people.
“There are no homes for people to go to. There is a poverty crisis placing increasing pressure on the welfare system.
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“If we do not legislate on [a preventative] basis and enact it then I fear this crisis will not diminish.”
Unite general secretary McCluskey added that the figures “make very depressing reading” and that the UK Prime Minister Theresa May should acknowledge “the harsh austerity regime” still underway.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: “No one should be sleeping rough in this freezing weather, which is why our emergency shelters are open across the capital every night the temperature drops to zero, offering rough sleepers somewhere warm to stay and further support to help them off the streets for good. As the bitter cold continues, it’s great to see Unite using their office space to provide extra shelter for those in need.”
