New Task Force To Tackle Region’s Homelessness Crisis

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Additional funds will also be made available to Liverpool Council, reports the Liverpool Echo.

A new homelessness task force is to be created in the Liverpool City Region to accelerate action to prevent and reduce rough sleeping. Earlier this year, the government awarded the Combined Authority (CA) £8.3m to tackle homelessness as part of its new three-year funding settlement. The cash is in addition to the £10.2m initially announced as part of the city region’s integrated settlement. If approved by CA leaders next week, a further £2m will be allocated to the task force, to launch in autumn, to partner local authorities, health, criminal justice and delivery partners behind a shared programme of action.

The task force will aim to significantly reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Liverpool City Region by finding ways to shift the focus from crisis response to proactive prevention and long-term impact. A commitment in Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham’s 2024 manifesto, the task force will bring together experts from across sectors to take a more joined up approach to preventing homelessness. Funding has also been allocated to continue the CA’s Housing First programme and extend delivery of assertive outreach services for the next three years, with professionals actively seeking out homeless people on the streets and in hostels to provide support.

Mr Rotheram said: “A safe, secure home is the foundation for everything else in life – your health, your education, your job and your future. I believe everyone deserves that security. But for too many people across our region, that’s sadly not the reality. Through devolution, we’ve been given the tools, and the trust, to do things differently. Through Housing First, more than 300 people in our region now have a place to call home, with more than 70% sustaining their tenancies. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved – but I know there’s more work to do. We’ve always been a region that looks after our own. We’re the first to put an arm around someone in their moment of need, and I don’t believe anyone wants to see people forced to sleep rough or without a place to call home. That’s why I’m launching this task force – to tackle the root causes of homelessness and give more people the security and support they need to build a better future.”

He added: “For too long, too many people have only received support once they’ve reached crisis point. But we shouldn’t wait for someone to fall before we reach out a helping hand – we want to be there to steady them while they’re still on their feet.”

The proposed task force will be chaired by, Cllr Graham Morgan, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, with membership including senior officers from the city region’s six local authorities, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Integrated Care Board, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the CA. There will also be support for the regional Accommodation for Ex-Offenders service, and local authority Housing Options officer roles to help lower demand for supported housing. The current Integrated Care Board specialist housing roles will also be supported over the next three years. Liverpool City Council will receive £4.7m over the next three years for various services aimed at reducing demand on supported housing.

Cllr Morgan said: “Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. This new task force will bring partners together from across the city region to tackle the root causes of homelessness, strengthen prevention and ensure support reaches people before they reach crisis point. By working together, we can create lasting change and help more people build brighter, more stable futures. Homelessness is not inevitable and we should not accept it as a fact of life.”

PIP Assessment Process Is ‘Dehumanising’ And ‘Degrading’

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The government has published the first part of the Timms Review into the PIP assessment process. Here’s what it found, reports the Big Issue.

The assessment process for the disability benefit benefit personal independence payment (PIP) is “dehumanising”, “degrading” and “stressful”, according to the findings of the government’s own Timms Review. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published an interim report as part of the first comprehensive review of PIP since the benefit was introduced in 2013.

Disability and social security minister Sir Stephen Timms was tasked with undertaking the review – widely known as the Timms Review – and co-producing it with disabled people and the organisations that support them. More than 38,000 people responded to a call for evidence from the DWP, with 90% of respondents viewing the assessment process in a negative light. Only 5% of responses about the PIP assessment process were positive.

Timms said: “This interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change.” The government initiated the review in October 2025 after facing uproar from Labour MPs over its plans to slash PIP, which could have seen hundreds of thousands of people lose their disability benefit. Keir Starmer’s government U-turned on the plans and agreed that no changes to PIP would be made until the Timms Review of the assessment had concluded, with the review’s final report expected to be delivered in the autumn.

Dr Clenton Farquharson, co-chair of the review, said: “PIP should contribute to disabled people meeting the extra costs of disability and participate in everyday life. What we have heard through this review is that, while PIP is a lifeline for many people, the system too often fails to understand the reality of people’s lives. Disabled people have told us about a process that can feel stressful, dehumanising and hard to navigate, especially for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible or multiple conditions. That matters, because a system that does not feel fair or humane will not command trust from disabled people or from the wider public.”

The interim report’s findings support years of Big Issue reporting into the PIP assessment process. Benefits assessors, who blew the whistle on the DWP, told us how the system disabled people are “set up to fail” by a “soul-destroying” disability benefits system which is target-driven and designed “to catch people out”. Hundreds of claimants have written to Big Issue or told their story, with some saying the PIP assessment process has caused them “severe psychological distress to the point of being suicidal”.

Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the MS Society, said: “Today’s interim report confirms what disabled people have been saying for many years – that the current PIP system is stressful and exhausting. We’ve been supporting people with MS to share their experiences as part of the review, and they are clear in their call for a new approach based on fairness, dignity and respect.”

“Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, with most diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. This is our chance to build a PIP system that acknowledges invisible and fluctuating symptoms, ends unnecessary reassessments, and works for everyone. But the next steps are crucial – and must continue involving and listening to disabled people. That’s the only way to make PIP fair and fit for the future.”

Ministers justified proposals for disability benefit cuts by suggesting that they would help push people into work. However, PIP is not an out of work benefit – instead, it is designed to help people cover their additional living costs. This includes extra costs for powering medical equipment, for transport or heating bills.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of learning disability Mencap, said: “This report shows clearly that that the current claims process is not fit for purpose and places an unfair administrative and emotional burden on people with a learning disability and their families. This chimes with our experience: the application process is not accessible, assessments end up being a needless fight and unnecessary re-assessments create distrust in the decision-making process.”

He added: “This approach should continue so that future recommendations are practical, deliverable and do not harm disabled people. I hope that the process of co-production will help to restore trust in the welfare systems that many of us rely on.”

Big Issue has repeatedly heard from claimants whose mental health has been affected by the PIP assessment process, which can impact their physical health too. One woman described how she had a second stroke which she believes was caused by stress after her disability benefits were stopped.

Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said: “The report echoes what we hear every day: that the PIP system is dehumanising, stressful and damages trust. PIP is a lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, live with the additional costs of mental illness. So as this work progresses, it’s vital that, alongside improving the process, we also recognise that in a decent society we must support those facing additional need. This is a line-in-the sand moment for how we treat people, that improves lives for those who are unwell and reduces the impacts on families and communities.”

Rough Sleeping No Longer A Crime As Vagrancy Act Repealed

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The government repealed the Vagrancy Act on Monday 29 June 2026, ending nearly two centuries of legislation that has criminalised rough sleeping and begging, reports Gov.uk

Originally introduced in 1824, the Vagrancy Act has been found to punish people simply for not having a home. As a result, it has pushed vulnerable people away from support, increased the risk of fines or criminal records and made it harder for people to rebuild their lives. Repealing the Act is a vital step in ending a system that has failed to address the causes of rough sleeping and in shifting the focus towards prevention, support and long-term solutions. This sits at the heart of the National Plan to End Homelessness – backed by £3.6 billion over the next three years – which aims to halve long-term rough sleeping and end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families by the end of the Parliament.

Alongside this, the government is delivering the biggest long-term investment in social and affordable housing in a generation – £39 billion over the next ten years – providing the homes people need. Recent figures show social and affordable housing starts are up 35% since 2024 and completions have risen again this year.  Following a week of record temperatures, the public are also being reminded of the Streetlink alert system to notify their local authority of anyone who is rough sleeping and in need of support.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: ”Homeless people are not criminals, they are people who need help. By repealing the outdated Vagrancy Act, we are shifting from punishment to prevention, alongside our investment to tackle homelessness for good.” Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said:

Repealing the Vagrancy Act is a long-overdue step that reflects a modern understanding of homelessness. We are turning our backs on a centuries old approach and instead focusing our attention on what works through providing support, preventing homelessness, and helping people rebuild their lives.

Our Plan to End Homelessness will drive that change, helping more people off the streets and into the security of a permanent home.”

The Vagrancy Act was introduced in 1824 in response to rising homelessness following the Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution. While its use has sharply declined, it is still sometimes used to move people on instead of addressing the root causes of a person’s homelessness. The National Plan to End Homelessness rewires the system to focus support where it’s needed most. This includes:

  • A £159 million grant for supported housing is getting over 2,500 people across England off the streets and into more stable housing, as well as preventing those from getting onto the streets in the first place.
  • Setting clear targets for halving the number who become homeless on their first night out of prison and that no eligible person is discharged to the street after a hospital stay.
  • It also sets a clear long-term ambition that no one should be made homeless from a public institution.

The upcoming Social Housing Bill will strengthen protections to victims of domestic abuse in social housing, helping to prevent homelessness – research shows that nearly 70% of women experiencing rough sleeping in 2025 had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16. There are already powers in place to tackle antisocial behaviour where it occurs, including under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. These are used where behaviour causes harassment or distress – not for simply being homeless. Statutory guidance will be updated to ensure these powers are used appropriately. The government will continue to take a tough stance on organised crime. New offences in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 will target organised begging gangs, those who exploit others for financial gain, and trespass linked to criminal activity.

Chief Executive of Crisis Matt Downie said:  ”This is a watershed moment which marks the end of a deeply cruel policy of criminalising people because they are homeless. For more than 200 years, the Vagrancy Act has punished people who have been forced to sleep on the streets. This has pushed people in already vulnerable situations away from support services and into the shadows for fear of being penalised. Now, after decades of charities campaigning alongside politicians, law enforcement and people with lived experience of homelessness, we can come together to celebrate the end of this archaic law.  We commend the UK Government for standing up for what’s right and getting rid of a great injustice. We hope this sends a powerful message about the kind of society we want: one where people experiencing homelessness are not persecuted but supported to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.”

Everyone deserves a roof over their head and action to halve long-term rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament and prevent homelessness includes:

  • A £37 million Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund that is supporting the work of voluntary, community and faith groups delivering day-to-day prevention and support services.
  • A £15 million Long-Term Rough Sleeping Innovation Programme targeting 28 areas facing the greatest long-term rough sleeping pressures – supporting them to find smarter, more joined-up ways to help people off the streets for good.
  • The Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement, which sees £159 million funded for supported housing and will target 40 local areas with the greatest need to help prevent homelessness.
  • Boosting the supply of good-quality temporary accommodation backed by £950 million and reducing the worst forms of temporary accommodation, particularly the use of B&Bs.

This is alongside wider measures to address the underlying causes of homelessness, including:

  • Abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions through the Renters’ Rights Act – a practice that has pushed thousands of renters into homelessness.
  • Investing £39 billion to deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation – giving people the homes they need.

As Rough Sleeping In Liverpool Spikes, Those On The Streets Are Losing Hope

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New government figures show a worrying rise in rough sleeping in Liverpool – for those at the sharp end of this crisis, optimism is in short supply, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“I’m asking for help and I am looking for accommodation, but I am always on a waiting list.” Corinna is 45 and has been homeless and sleeping rough in Liverpool for the past four months. Like many of the city’s rough sleepers, she believes getting somewhere safe to live would be the first step on the journey to turning her life around. “I lost my son to a motorbike accident, he was only 17. I spiralled after that,” explains Corinna. She is speaking to us while sat on the floor close to Williamson Square in the city centre. “Mental health is a really big issue and grief is a strange emotion. I don’t think mental health is discussed enough in this country,” she adds.

Corinna is sadly one of a growing number of people sleeping rough in Liverpool. The latest government statistics show a worrying year-on-year rise in the figures of those being counted in government data. That data shows that in March of 2025, there were a total of 124 people counted as rough sleeping on the streets of Liverpool. A year later, in March 2026, that number had soared to 197 – a worrying 59% increase. The figures show Liverpool is the worst hit council area in the north-west for rough sleeping, with the third highest rate nationally. These numbers clearly stem from a complex and wide-ranging set of factors. Many of those on the streets have difficult situations ranging from deep trauma to addiction or mental health issues that can and have led to their current circumstances.

But another key factor is that Liverpool, like many UK cities, has a housing crisis – with an estimated 14,000 people on the waiting list for social accommodation. Soaring rents and evictions and the complete lack of new social housing being built has led to a perfect storm in recent years. Everyone we spoke to on the streets of Liverpool said they felt that despite their circumstances, getting a place to live could get them back on their feet. However, none felt optimistic about that happening anytime soon.

“I’m asking for help and I am looking for accommodation but you are just on a waiting list,” says Corinna. “I go in every Monday to see where I am up to, but it is a bit tedious waiting all the time. It can be dangerous being a woman on the streets. You have to know where to go and keep yourself to yourself. Some people can be arrogant and rude towards you, but there are plenty of nice people who want to help you as well. I need a property first to sort me out.”

Across the other side of Williamson Square and another woman sits alone, sorting out the few effects she has to her name. She is Jade, she is only 24 and has been homeless since she left care at the age of 16. Like Corinna, she finds herself waiting for somewhere safe to live and is currently on a waiting list for a space at the Ann Fowler House – a supported living centre in the city operated by the Salvation Army.

Speaking about her time on the streets, Jade explains: “My mum was homeless as well. It can be dangerous. I’m used to it now. With coming out younger and my mum knowing people, people have looked out for me on the streets. But even though people have my back, I still find myself in bad situations. I’ve had bottles thrown at me, been swilled with pi**, all sorts.”

Jade said she does engage with services including Liverpool’s main homelessness charity The Whitechapel Centre – and she’s grateful for the help she gets, but nothing can change without a place to live first. “Accommodation is the main thing. You can’t do anything without it, you can’t get a job, you can’t get back on your feet.” The brutal reality of life on the streets has hit hard recently for Jade, with soaring temperatures making things much more difficult. “It has been really tough,” she says. “I would honestly rather it was pi**ing it down. It can be really horrible when you can’t escape the heat.”

Elsewhere in Lord Street, 42-year-old Gary is stood outside a coffee shop asking passers-by for help. Most ignore him. He stands with a dirty duvet hung around his neck. “This is all I have got in the world,” says Gary. “And I can’t put it down because it will get nicked.” At 42, Gary’s story is familiar to anyone who has spent time speaking to those who have ended up on the streets. A sudden change of circumstances can lead to a life that spirals out of control and is extremely difficult to get back on track again.

He explains: “I lost me job, my Mrs f***** me off and I haven’t seen my son in years. I was a brickie and I fell of a ladder and done me knee in and that’s when I lost my job, my relationship and my flat.” Like the others we spoke to, Gary is desperate for a place to live and from which to try and rebuild his life. But he has very little hope. “You just don’t get any help from anyone. People come round and talk to you and say someone will be in touch, but nothing happens. I haven’t even got a phone. I have been waiting for years just to get into a hostel. If I can just get a step back onto the ladder I know I will be sound. I’m not on drugs or anything. I’m just out here because I am on my a***.”

He’s been homeless for eight years and like many in this position has experienced violence, including very recently. Gary shows us his grin, from which several teeth are now missing. “A kid ran past me the other day and just kicked me in the mouth. He knocked my teeth out and ran away laughing.” Of course not everyone is violent, but being ignored by others is nearly as painful, he says. “When you’re on the streets it’s so hard. You become invisible to people, they won’t even look at you or even give you the time of day. I just feel forgotten about now. I might as well be dead now.”

Hundreds Of Empty Liverpool Homes Set To Help Families On Council Housing List

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Homeowners and landlords across Liverpool are being offered thousands of pounds to bring long term empty properties back into use, as part of a major push by the city council to tackle housing need and neighbourhood blight, reports Liverpool Express.

Liverpool City Council has launched a £7.3million Empty Homes Grant scheme, offering grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 to help renovate properties that have been standing empty for at least a year. The scheme is aimed at unlocking homes that already exist but have fallen out of use, turning them into safe, decent places to live for people who are registered on the city’s housing waiting list. This in turn will help towards creating strong neighbourhoods and instil a sense of belonging and community pride as families settle into their new homes.

Under the scheme, owners who receive funding will be required to bring properties up to a legally compliant standard, removing serious hazards such as unsafe wiring or gas faults and dealing with excess cold. In return, the homes will be made available as affordable rented accommodation, helping families who are struggling to find somewhere to live offering them a chance of having a permanent home. Council figures show that bringing empty homes back into use can be quicker and more cost effective than building new properties, while also improving the look and feel of streets affected by long-term vacancy.

The grants form part of a wider approach to tackling empty homes, combining financial support for owners who want to do the right thing with tougher enforcement action for those who allow properties to fall into serious disrepair. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, including owning the property, having no outstanding council tax arrears, and ensuring the property has been empty for at least 12 months. The scheme is expected to run for up to three years, or until funding is fully allocated.

As part of the Empty Homes Grant scheme, Liverpool City Council will secure tenancy nomination rights on properties brought back into use with public funding. This means that, once renovated, homes will be offered to households on the council’s housing waiting list for a set period at Local Housing Allowance rates. The approach ensures that grant funding delivers a clear public benefit, helping families move into safe, decent homes more quickly while reducing pressure on temporary accommodation. The Empty Homes Grant is part of Liverpool City Council’s wider housing strategy to increase the supply of affordable homes, reduce homelessness and improve housing conditions across the city.

Cllr Hetty Wood, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Empty homes are a waste when so many people across our city are desperate for somewhere safe and secure to live. This grant scheme is about giving owners practical help to bring properties back into use, while making sure public investment delivers real benefits for local people. Every home we can bring back into use is a home that could help a family move out of temporary accommodation, reduce pressure on our housing services and improve neighbourhoods that have suffered from blight for far too long. We’re clear that support will go hand in hand with firm action where owners refuse to engage, because leaving homes empty simply isn’t acceptable when housing need is so high.

People Think I’m Enjoying The Sunshine, But I’m Actually Homeless

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Dave said he regularly moves around different parts of Liverpool, reports the Echo.

A homeless Liverpool man whose hammock has been spotted hanging from lampposts and trees across the city said he feels safer sleeping outdoors than in emergency accommodation. Dave, 35, from Fazakerley, has become a familiar sight in parks and green spaces around Liverpool after setting up his hammock in locations including Sefton Park, Otterspool Promenade, and Litherland.

Some passers-by may assume he is simply making the most of the warm weather, but the reality is very different. Dave has been homeless for more than a year after what he described as a “long string of events” following an incident at work that led to a breakdown. He told the ECHO: “I ended up on the streets maybe a year or so ago. I’m just trying to get back off the streets, but it’s been a bit of a nightmare, to be honest with you.”

Dave said he regularly moves around different parts of Liverpool and rarely stays in one place for long, instead seeking out quiet spots where he can safely set up his hammock. He said: “I’m everywhere really. Sefton Park, Otterspool Prom, it changes every day. It’s wherever I find a bit of peace and quiet.” The lightweight hammock has become an essential part of daily life after Dave found carrying a tent too difficult. He said: “The hammock is a lot cooler in this weather. The tent was just too much to carry around. This folds down and can go in the pocket of my coat. I don’t really have many belongings, so it’s lightweight.”

Some people recognise that he is homeless, while others simply assume he is relaxing outdoors. Despite his circumstances, Dave says many people react positively when they see him. He said: “A lot of people think it’s great. I always get people stopping and talking. I think some of them may think I’m homeless, and I think some of them probably think I’m just enjoying a bit of the sun.”

Dave said he has sought support from Liverpool’s homelessness services and other organisations but feels frustrated by the options available to him. He said he has been offered hostel and dormitory-style accommodation, but does not feel comfortable staying there. He said: “They’re not the nicest of places. They attract a lot of bad types of people. You don’t know what type of people are in there, I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I’d much rather find a quiet spot and be tucked away on my own. I feel much safer on the streets in a hammock than I would in one of those places.”

Instead, Dave heads away from busy city centre areas and looks for secluded locations where he can spend the night. He said: “I tend to head out of Liverpool a bit because the city is packed. I either go down the woods or anywhere I can find slightly out of Liverpool. I feel as safe as can be once I’m in it.”

While Dave admits his situation is far from ideal, he said he remains determined to stay positive. He said: “It’s not the best situation to be in. But it could be worse. At least I’m lying out in the sun.”

‘I Was Forced Out Of Home Because I Was Trans’

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LGBTQ+ people between the ages of 18 & 25 are at higher risk of homelessness, reports The Independent.

Sofia (not her real name) returned to her family home one evening to find her suitcase packed and her mother and father telling her she needed to leave. Her deeply religious parents had just discovered she was transgender after going through her belongings and finding the makeup and feminine clothing she had kept hidden away in her wardrobe. They told their daughter that she was a danger to her siblings and Sofia, then 24 and unemployed, was forced out onto the street the next morning, filled with “dread” and “anxiety” about what was to come. “I genuinely didn’t know what I was going to do or how I was going to find a place to stay,” she told The Independent.

She headed to Manchester and spent the next few months jumping between hostels before her money eventually ran out. In what she describes as her lowest point, Sofia ended up on the “extremely cold” Manchester streets for several days in December 2023. It wasn’t until the following February that she was finally put in stable housing. “It was horrific. It’s the constant worrying about your belongings possibly being stolen or damaged, what you’re going to feed yourself, how you’re going to keep clean, go to the bathroom,” she said.

Throughout June, The Independent is publishing a wide range of stories exploring LGBTQ+ identity, rights, culture and experiences. As part of our campaign championing people in Pride Month, this publication has again partnered with Pride in London and launched our iconic Pride List for 2026, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community’s biggest trailblazers. Like Sofia, many young LGBTQ+ people are forced out of their homes, making them far more likely to end up on the streets. Around 24 per cent of young people experiencing homelessness are queer, according to LGBTQ+ youth homeless charity AKT, while those aged between 18 and 25 are four times more likely to face homelessness compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers.

“There are still high rates of intolerance for queer people in general, which means that they can be forced out of their homes by their families, by landlords, by any number of people who hold influence over their housing,” Sofia said. “One of the biggest issues is finding places that are queer-friendly, or tolerable of the existence of queer people. It’s terrifying trying to find places and fearing that you’ll be discriminated against and that you’ll miss out on housing just for something well beyond your control.” Nearly one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, according to Stonewall Housing. This figure rises to 25 per cent for trans people.

Nicola Harwood, the executive director of operations at homelessness charity Depaul UK, said: “The root cause of youth homelessness is family breakdown… for young people who are LGBTQ+, this is heightened even more so as they experience conflict at home.” Ms Hardwood said that young queer people also face unique struggles after they’ve been forced out onto the streets, and are more likely to be turned away from accommodation because they are LGBTQ+. “All young people experiencing homelessness have experienced some form of trauma in their journey to becoming homeless, but for LGBTQ+ young people, that’s heightened even more so,” she added.

Amy Heritage, director of marketing and communications at AKT, said: “What we tend to see is young people who have either come out or been outed, and their family have been abusive towards them, or kicked them out. LGBTQ+ youth are also vulnerable because there’s a lot of intersectional needs. A lot of the young people we work with are neurodivergent, or they have a disability. We work with a very high number of people who are Black, brown or people of colour.” She said young LGBTQ+ people must have safe housing options specific to them, which are offered by groups like community shelter non-profit the Outside Project.

Charities like AKT and Depaul will help young LGBTQ+ people find emergency support and specialist accommodation, which they say can be crucial to keeping them safe. “There have been times when people have been moved into local authority accommodation, but their neighbours have been homophobic and abusive, and they feel really unsafe,” she explained. “I think that there can be something really empowering also about meeting people who are like you… and knowing that you’re not alone.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Everyone deserves a safe and secure home and we’re taking action to end homelessness for good, backed by £3.6bn investment. This includes work to support 18- to 25-year-olds who are at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping, and councils have the flexibility to provide help that is inclusive for LGBTQ+ people so that they can meet the needs of everyone in their communities.”

Homeless People Beaten With Stick In Broad Daylight Attack

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A man launched an attack on two homeless people before pulling out a large knife, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The shocking incident happened at around 11.30am on Sunday, June 14, on Houghton Street in Liverpool city centre. A woman was left with a bloodied nose after being struck in the face, while a second man was also assaulted.

Matthew Harris, 56, was visiting Liverpool with his wife when he witnessed the incident unfold. Speaking to the Echo, he said: “We were about to head back to the Holiday Inn when we saw a homeless woman sitting on a cushion on the floor. This man approached her and I honestly thought he was going to give her some money. The next thing, he lunged at her and hit her in the face with a wooden stick. He was pushing the end of the stick into her nose and striking her in the face. We were completely shocked. We couldn’t understand why he was doing it.”

Matthew, from Newcastle, said the man then walked away before targeting another homeless person nearby. “He carried on down the street and turned into a nearby square where there was another homeless man sitting in a tent in a doorway. That’s when he hit him with the stick as well,” he said. The man got up and then the attacker pulled out this huge knife. It looked about eight inches long. When he pulled the knife out, I thought, he’s already hurt someone with a stick – what’s he going to do with that?”

Realising a police van had been parked nearby, Matthew ran to alert officers. “We’d just been shopping by Primark and I remembered seeing a police van. I thought it would be much quicker than calling 999, so I ran back to tell them what had happened. Before the police arrived, some young Asian lads had managed to tackle him and get the knife away from him. You normally see things like this on the telly or YouTube, but seeing it happen right in front of you is chilling.”

After returning to their hotel to drop off their shopping, Matthew and his wife later saw the woman who had been injured. “We asked if she was okay and she said she was, but she had blood all over her nose. I assume the police asked if she wanted medical treatment, but she must have wanted to stay where she was.” He added: “I’m just grateful nobody was seriously hurt. If the police hadn’t been so close by, it could have escalated very quickly.”

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We arrested and charged a man and seized a knife following an incident in Liverpool city centre on Sunday, June 14. At around 11.30am, officers were called to St John’s Shopping Centre after a man was detained following reports he had assaulted a woman and a man on nearby Houghton Street, causing minor injuries. A knife was seized, although it was not used during the assaults. Scott Gledhill, 49, of Sterling Way, Kirkdale, was charged with two counts of assault by beating, possession of a knife in a public place and affray.”

Gledhill appeared before Sefton Magistrates Court on Monday, June 15, where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating, possession of a bladed article in a public place and affray. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on July 13.

Big Issue Founder Urges Action On Empty Homes

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Labour’s Social Housing Bill is aiming to limit Right to Buy rules and protect domestic violence victims but Lord John Bird has urged ministers to take action on empty homes too, reports the Big Issue.

Big Issue founder Lord John Bird has urged the government to take action to fill up empty homes in England with an amendment to the Social Housing Bill. Labour’s legislation is currently at the committee stage in the House of Lords. The bill is aiming to change Right to Buy scheme rules to protect new social housing stock from being sold off. It is expected to prevent 26,000 social homes being sold over the next decade and instead boost housing stock across England by 18,000 homes, according to the government’s impact assessment.

Crossbench peer Lord Bird called for the government to go further on Wednesday (17 June). His amendment aimed to make it a requirement for local authorities to publicly publish a five-year plan on social housing and maximising the use of long-term empty homes. The plan would set out how local authorities would acquire social homes and renovation plans as well as spending.It would also include an audit of current social housing stock and determine which unoccupied homes could be turned into social housing.

Lord Bird told peers: “I am not saying it would be easy, but you could be wise and do nationally what Manchester, Plymouth and Wales are trying to do: incorporate empty homes into the fabric of their housing strategies. If that could be done, it would be a real plus.” He added: “If we spend all the money on new houses, what are we going to do about those failing estates and the voids? What are we going to do about the fact that many local authorities and housing associations cannot afford to convert void houses that are boarded up? This government have to have a strategy on empty homes. I do not see that in the strategy at the moment.”

Lord Bird’s amendment comes after Big Issue joined 25 cross-sector organisations in backing an open letter to housing minister Matthew Pennycook calling for a national strategy on empty homes back in February. The open letter, collated by Empty Homes Network, urged government to offer financial incentives such as a loan scheme and a national acquisition fund as well as tax incentives to mobilise the use of vacant properties to address the housing crisis.

Adam Cliff, secretary of the Empty Homes Network, added: “With over 300,000 homes sitting stagnant while thousands of families remain trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation, we are overlooking a ready-made solution to the housing crisis. We’re asking the government to stop looking the other way and give local councils the funding and authority they need to turn these properties back into real homes for local people.”

Baroness Sharon Taylor, representing the government in Wednesday’s debate, rejected Lord Bird’s amendment, arguing that local authorities already have existing powers to address empty homes. “I fully recognise the strength of feeling around the need to bring empty homes back into use,” said Baroness Taylor. “We do not believe that placing a new statutory duty on all local authorities to produce a detailed five-year plan on empty homes is the right approach. Local authorities already have powers to identify and acquire empty homes and to bring them back into use. Many are actively doing so through locally tailored strategies that reflect their housing markets and priorities. As the noble Lord said, we should not have empty homes while families live in temporary accommodation, and we are working with our councils to make sure that that does not happen.”

The Social Housing Bill will increase the minimum tenancy required to be eligible for the Right to Buy scheme from three to 10 years and make newly built social and affordable homes exempt from the scheme for 35 years. The legislation will also give social housing landlords greater powers to take action against perpetrators of domestic abuse with the victim being forced out of their home. It’s part of Labour’s wider plans to address the housing crisis. The government is targeting building 1.5 million homes while in power, although it is currently facing an uphill battle to hit that number. Ministers have committed to a £39bn affordable housing programme over the next decade in a bid to boost the number of social homes across England.

Homeless People Will Be Given Free Flu Jabs This Year – Here’s Why It Could Save Lives

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Sharon Hodgson, parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department for Health and Social Care, writes in the Big Issue about why the government is giving free flu vaccines to people facing homelessness.

Every person across the country is rightly entitled to healthcare. But accessing it can be a lot harder for those experiencing homelessness. Illnesses like flu can be particularly serious for homeless people due to existing health problems, being exposed to cold and damp weather, and difficulty getting healthcare. This government is committed to ending homelessness, which is why we’ve ended no fault evictions through the Renters’ Rights Bill, committed to building 1.5 million new homes – including the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, and why we’ve given councils across the country £84 million to provide more support for thousands of people in temporary accommodation.

That is also why, this autumn, the NHS will offer free flu vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness in England – focussing on those sleeping rough or staying in hostels and night shelters. It is a practical step to protect a group at high risk of serious respiratory illness who are too often left behind.

Because the reality is stark. People experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience poorer access to healthcare, worse health outcomes, and to die younger. Respiratory infections like flu contribute to this. And yet, despite facing risks equal to – or in some cases greater than – those already eligible for vaccination, too many have been underserved by services that many of us take for granted. That is not just a gap in provision. It is an injustice.

Through our 10 Year Health Plan, this government has been clear that we will not accept a system where who you are or where you come from determines your chances of staying well. We are building an NHS that tackles inequalities head on – and works for everyone. Expanding access to flu vaccination for people experiencing homelessness is part of delivering on that promise. The flu jab is safe, free, and offers the best protection against a virus that can be serious for people already facing tough conditions. It follows expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which recognises the very high levels of poor health among people sleeping rough and their increased risk from diseases like flu. But this is not just about eligibility. It is about access.

We know that people experiencing homelessness can face real barriers to healthcare – from not being registered with a GP, to struggling to attend appointments, to navigating services that were simply not designed with their circumstances in mind. If we are serious about reducing inequalities, we cannot expect people to fit around systems that do not work for them. We must design services that reach people where they are. That means working closely with outreach teams, hostels, and frontline organisations that are already supporting people day in, day out. It means making vaccination simple, accessible, and delivered in trusted settings. And it means recognising that small, practical changes – like offering a flu jab in a place someone already visits – can make a life-saving difference.

There is also a wider benefit. Increasing vaccination among vulnerable groups helps to reduce the spread of flu across communities, preventing avoidable illness, reducing hospitalisations and easing pressure on the NHS during the most challenging time of the year. In other words, protecting those most at risk helps protect us all. But at its heart, this is about fairness and dignity. Because behind every statistic is a person – someone navigating incredibly difficult circumstances, someone who deserves the same chance to stay well as anyone else.

For too long, people experiencing homelessness have been missed by services many of us rely on without a second thought. This change is about putting that right. By making sure vulnerable groups can access free flu vaccinations on the NHS, we are taking a clear, practical step to ensure they are not overlooked – and that they receive the same potentially life-saving protection as other at-risk groups. This is how we’re building an NHS that reaches people where they are, tackling inequality at its root, and works for everyone. This winter, we are making a simple choice. To act.