68,000 homeless in Britain, and it's going to get worse

[Staunton]

What's wrong with a country in which thousands sleep rough on its streets for want of shelter whilst corporations such as Amazon are permitted to simply ignore their tax responsibilities?

 

That was the OP's basic question!

[tinfoilhat]

What's wrong with a country in which thousands sleep rough on its streets for want of shelter whilst corporations such as Amazon are permitted to simply ignore their tax responsibilities?

 

That was the OP's basic question!

 

We had homeless people years before amazon. At the same time that amazon were or were not paying the right amount tax, we managed wars in afghanistan and iraq at an estimated cost of £20.3bn (labour started both of them by hte way). Ironically an above average amount of homeless will sadly be ex-forces with PTSD.

 

How many homeless shelters, mental health neurse and houses will £20.3bn get you?

[Cyclone]

7 years now we've not had a Labour government, and yet homeless has risen considerably.

[Mister M]

I think those sleeping rough on the streets is the tip of the iceberg. A lot of families are in temporary accommodation (B&Bs etc), or staying with relatives / friends till they get something more permanent. And because it's not immediately visible it's 'out of sight, out of mind'.

The situation feels slightly unreal - politicians are aware that there is a huge problem, but there seems to be a complete lack of urgency in tackling the issue.

[Cyclone]

So long as it's not losing them votes, they don't actually care... You have to remember that these people don't have any empathy or normal human emotions, that's why they're conservative politicians.

[tinfoilhat]

7 years now we've not had a Labour government, and yet homeless has risen considerably.

 

Indeed, their policies have no doubt contributed to those numbers. Giving Amazon a good squeeze won't fix the problem.

 

---------- Post added 14-08-2017 at 21:48 ----------

 

I think those sleeping rough on the streets is the tip of the iceberg. A lot of families are in temporary accommodation (B&Bs etc), or staying with relatives / friends till they get something more permanent. And because it's not immediately visible it's 'out of sight, out of mind'.

The situation feels slightly unreal - politicians are aware that there is a huge problem, but there seems to be a complete lack of urgency in tackling the issue.

 

Homeless people can't vote.

 

---------- Post added 14-08-2017 at 21:49 ----------

 

So long as it's not losing them votes, they don't actually care... You have to remember that these people don't have any empathy or normal human emotions, that's why they're conservative politicians.

 

You've got something in your eye.

[Cyclone]

Corporate tax evasion does cost the country a lot of money, but it's not a priority for the current government, they'd rather save pennies by punishing the poor apparently.

 

No I don't. I'm not a politician of any stripe.

[gettingon]

... they don't actually care ... You have to remember that these people don't have any empathy or normal human emotions, that's why they're ... politicians.

 

you're absolutely correct cyclone. absolutely spot on. (i've slightly edited your post for more accuracy).

so what are we going to do about it?

[tinfoilhat]

Corporate tax evasion does cost the country a lot of money, but it's not a priority for the current government, they'd rather save pennies by punishing the poor apparently.

 

No I don't. I'm not a politician of any stripe.

 

If it had been the will of government homelessness would have been solved before either of us were born - dodgy taxes or not (and labours history on corporate tax avoidance isn't stellar either - for balance) - if that's even possible. A fair chunk of homeless people have pretty severe mental illness, drug abuse issues etc etc - unless you are going to lock them all up, they will end on the street at some point.

[Mister M]

If it had been the will of government homelessness would have been solved before either of us were born - dodgy taxes or not (and labours history on corporate tax avoidance isn't stellar either - for balance) - if that's even possible. A fair chunk of homeless people have pretty severe mental illness, drug abuse issues etc etc - unless you are going to lock them all up, they will end on the street at some point.

 

However it is also a chicken and egg situation. If something like relationship breakdown and financial difficulties result in someone ending up on the streets, then even if they didn't have mental health problems before being made homeless, they are at v. high risk of developing them as a consequence of being homeless.

Even though it is known that ex - service personnel are at high risk of homelessness, it's shocking that support for this group is very patchy.

I think support needs to be holistic so that there is professional support available (be it mental health, drug / alcohol rehab). Sadly these services have taken a huge hit since the credit crunch.