South East MEP hits out at homelessness in Brighton

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East.

The homeless crisis in Brighton is “hideous” and should “shame Britain”, according to Keith Taylor, the Green MEP for the South East.

Brighton is now only second to London for the number of people sleeping rough on the streets, and new figures show that homelessness has risen in the city by a staggering 84%, compared to an average of 20% outside London.

Mr Taylor said: “Frankly, it’s hideous that in Brighton, in one of the wealthiest regions, in one of the richest countries in the world, rough sleeping has jumped a staggering 84% in just one year.

“And, what is worse, a separate report released this week found that the Conservative government’s plans will exacerbate a truly terrible homelessness problem that it is already failing to tackle.

“While people face financial ruin this Government is cutting gaping great holes in the safety net that should be there to help them in their time of need. Rough sleeping is no way for anybody to have to try and survive; it ruins lives. I’m sure Brighton Council will be doing its best, but they are up against savage budget cuts.”

Brighton and Hove council will today debate the opening of more night shelters for homeless people after an online petition received thousands of signatures.

Campaigner and retiree John Hadman, who created the petition, said he would like the night shelters to be open until the end of March.

“The council has already failed rough sleepers during the coldest nights of the winter” he said. “I will be accompanied by homeless people who I hope will have the opportunity to share their stories with councillors on the day” he added.

Currently, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated after three consecutive nights of sub-zero temperatures. The policy is co-ordinated by Brighton Housing Trust, whose CEO Andy Winter has hit out at council policy in his blog.

“Have we really reached the point where a homeless person freezing to death is an acceptable consequence of budget cuts?” he asked, in a blog post on the 5th of January.

The SWEP protocol has already been activated this winter, but shelters were closed after temperatures rose on the 24th. Campaigners argue that the threshold for activation is too high.

The council debate will start at 5:30 in Hove Town Hall, and will be attended by activists protesting against homeless. Separately, there will be a group of youth workers protesting against council cuts to youth services.