Liverpool's rough sleepers 'being failed by the Government'
A major new study's commissioned by the Mayor of Liverpool is being released today
Last updated 4th Oct 2017
A major new report claims rough sleepers in Liverpool are being failed by the Government's benefit policy.
The policy of “No Recourse to Public Funds” has been pinpointed as a major contributory factor in the growth of rough sleeping in the past decade.
The three month study found that over 70% of rough sleepers have suffered mental health issues.
One third of Rough Sleepers in Liverpool are economic migrants from Eastern Europe.
Around 6,000 people are helped every year to prevent them becoming homeless in Liverpool - of those, a very small number of people end up Rough Sleeping.
Liverpool Mayor Anderson called for an independent report earlier in the year to examine how services can be improved despite the fact that Liverpool City Council spends £11m per year on support to prevent and address Homelessness and rough sleeping.
Mayor Anderson, who will use the launch of the report to call for a city wide action plan, said:
“Rough Sleeping will never go away unless this pernicious policy is reversed. This need cross-party support and is a cause I will be taking up with other city Mayors to ensure the Government understands a radical rethink is vital to solving this issue. It is not simply the case that more money will reduce this problem – this is going to require a new approach in how government at central and local level engage and act with our strategic partners and at grassroots level to address the very complex health needs of these unfortunate individuals.”
Simon Whitter, who last year cooked 1,000 Christmas meal for homeless people on Merseyside, said: “Homelessness and rough sleeping in particular has been very personal to me over many years and throughout this report we have interviewed rough sleepers to CEO's and have tried to maintain a balanced view from all involved."
"Hopefully the recommendations in this report will help to make further steps forward in getting people the support and help needed – not just in Liverpool but across the UK."