‘Andy Burnham must not repeat the mistakes of the past on homelessness’

Big Issue readers discuss Andy Burnham’s pledge to end rough sleeping, Darren McGarvey’s prime ministerial plans and more.

Wealth gap

There was a time when most people had a chance of a house or flat once on a council waiting list. John Bird writes of how homelessness grew to its present proportions. The party conflicts of the ’70s led to a Tory government in the ’80s, that resulted in privatisation. 

Decades later we have a massive health wealth gap, unfulfilled promises, etc. So much for these abstract economic plans that seem to feed the minds of many politicians, when so many people are sleeping rough.

Let us hope the present leader doesn’t make those mistakes of the past, and makes life for the people in this country good again. If not, another PM could be in danger of losing the people’s vote. 

Terence G Springthorpe, Southend on Sea 

I’m sorry, Dave…

In reply to comedian Garrett Millerick’s article on AI [Big Issue magazine 1728, 27 July-02 August], may I suggest you get a copy of Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the film you will come across the HAL 9000 computer. Kubrick was 58 years ahead of everybody. Remember AI takes on the personality of the person who developed it. There is no such thing as a neutral AI. 

Peter Neale, Chelmsford 

Bundle of energy

Reading Issue 1729 I’m struck by how much energy and infrastructure is required to build and sustain the twin 21st century industries of data harvesting and AI. It reminds me of that once ubiquitous 19th century invention, the steam locomotive. 

David Halliday 

If only

I very much liked much of what Darren McGarvey said but “Most of the world is doing OK”? If only! Consider the scourge of Trump and Musk, dictators, wars, exploitation of the Global South, the climate change catastrophe, and it doesn’t look so rosy any more. I think we have more work to do. 

Mary Robertson 

Read more:

• Andy Burnham: ‘Housing is a human right’
• Here’s what Andy Burnham can do right away to address homelessness and NEETs crisis
• Are Andy Burnham’s affordable homes plans a ‘council housing revolution’ or a ‘massive backtrack’?

Beg to differ

Er, no, Gerard McCreesh, the comedian Pierre Novellie should not be congratulated for the “accurate” way he portrays nuclear energy. In Issue 1728 Novellie promoted the false idea that nuclear is low-carbon or zero-carbon, and overlooked the fact that the entire life cycle (building power stations, mining and enriching uranium, transporting uranium across the planet, decommissioning reactors) is enormously energy intensive. There is, as yet, no safe, long-term solution for disposing of the highly toxic “forever waste” which we are dumping onto future generations to resolve. 

Then there’s the wider issue that nuclear leaves the UK still reliant on global supply chains. Hardly the panacea that many would have us believe. 

Jerry Diccox, Wilsden 

Responses to: Bella Roberts

The systems we have are all set against disabled people working but when a disabled person doesn’t work they are demonised. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

daughterofkaos, Instagram 

It is so much harder for disabled people! 

spectrum_designs, Instagram

Bella is absolutely adorable and such an intelligent young woman.

davidhtom, Instagram 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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