This aligns with expert interviews previously conducted by Big Issue. Lee Buss-Blair, former soldier and director of operations at Riverside, explained earlier this year that while veterans face unique challenges, they are not overrepresented in the homeless population.
“The issue of homeless veterans is a very emotive one. A lot of people value the sacrifices that service people make,” he told Big Issue.
“But sometimes I think we get used as a bit of a political football. Certain groups maybe take advantage of the fact that they know that people really care about veterans and then maybe use that to further a different agenda.”
Meanwhile, a new report from MPs has exposed how taxpayers’ money is being wasted on asylum accommodation – with profits going to private companies, not asylum seekers.
According to a damning Home Affairs Committee testimony, “flawed contracts” and “incompetent delivery” forced the government to rely on expensive hotels rather than cheaper, more sustainable options. The expected costs have tripled to more than £15 billion.
“The Home Office has presided over a failing asylum accommodation system that has cost taxpayers billions of pounds,” said Dame Karen Bradley, chair of the committee.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
“Its response to increasing demand has been rushed and chaotic, and the department has neglected the day-to-day management of these contracts. The government needs to get a grip on the asylum accommodation system in order to bring costs down and hold providers to account for poor performance.”
That “poor performance” has long been condemned by asylum seeker advocates. A 2023 report by Migrant Voice described “filthy, windowless rooms”, “rancid-smelling meat” and severe overcrowding – with up to 11 people sharing a single room. One resident said 24 people had to share a single toilet.
“These are not luxury hotels by any stretch of the imagination, whatever the TripAdvisor rating might have been previously,” Daniel Sohege, director of human rights consultancy Stand For All, told Big Issue.
Starmer also highlighted digital ID provisions as proof of his government’s ‘forces first’ approach. A smartphone-based veteran card is already available to 1.8 million former service people, offering proof of service to access charities and certain public services. It also acts as a pilot for the government’s wider digital ID scheme, set to roll out to all adults by 2029.
The prime minister said homeless veterans can already “use their ID to help them access services”.
“Where they’ve got priority, they can use their digital ID already. They are doing it to say, ‘This is who I am. I am a veteran, and I’m therefore entitled to this additional service or support.’ Or even more straightforward things like accessing museums for free because they’re veterans, again, they can use their digital ID to do it, and they are doing it.”
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
However, there is only so much a digital ID card can do – and veterans’ charities fear their funding may be cut, as previously reported by Big Issue.
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life this Christmas.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – or support online with a vendor support kit or a subscription – and help people work their way out of poverty with dignity.
