Big Issue founder urges rethink on how budgets are set to tackle homelessness
The founder of The Big Issue magazine has urged the Government to rethink how budgets are set following an announcement of extra money to tackle rough sleeping.
Chancellor Sajid Javid said there will be £54 million more money in a bid to reduce homelessness, a real terms rise of 13%.
Lord Bird (pictured) said: “The Chancellor says that the Government is turning the page on austerity and beginning a decade of renewal.
“If Downing Street is serious about this mission, it’s now time for Mr Javid to completely rethink how and why he sets budgets in the first place.
“His announcement of £54 million to reduce homelessness will no doubt offer relief to some of the thousands of people sleeping rough today, but if the Treasury really wants to do something about the systemic causes of poverty, we need a revolution in government planning, budgeting and delivery.
“It’s time to get the root causes of destitution, illiteracy, low skills, high living costs, insecure work, low pay, family problems and an ineffective welfarism and not just focus on the symptoms of poverty.”
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