UK youth homelessness soars amid cuts
22 Nov Press TV
A UK report says homelessness among young Britons has increased
sixfold over a year due to the government's controversial welfare
reforms.
The study by the umbrella body for homelessness organizations,
Homeless Link, and published on Wednesday showed homelessness among
Britons under the age of 25 has soared from 1.7 percent in 2013 to 10
percent this year.
The organization said the report showed clear signs that the Tory-led
Coalition government's tougher regime of benefit sanctions is forcing
young Britons out of their homes.
The survey of more than 200 homelessness charities and council
agencies across England also found that 90 percent of providers stated
that the government bans have affected young people's ability to access
new housing accommodation.
Prime Minister David Cameron's government imposed tougher sanctions
regime in 2012 for those claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Employment
Support Allowance.
Measures included increasing the requirements to qualify and the
amount of time for which claimants can be punished.
Rick Henderson, the umbrella group's chief executive, said nearly all
the questioned charities had reported that young people were being hit
by the government's benefit cuts.
"We know that early experience of homelessness can lead to the
development of significant problems in later life, and for young people
who find themselves in crisis, the benefits system should provide a
safety net to help prevent this from happening," said Henderson.The
current coalition government launched austerity measures when it came to
power in 2010 in a bid to tackle the country's mounting debt and
sluggish growth, but the policies have sparked opposition and public
protests in recent years.
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