DEMANDS FOR special treatment have been lodged with the Government by a wide range of economic interests as Ministers prepare for the budget. It happens every year. On this occasion, however, there is an edge to representations because of the worsening fiscal situation. In spite of such pressure, the Government should focus on the needs of the homeless and the marginalised in order to protect gains already made in combating poverty.
The Simon Community is just the latest voluntary organisation to chart the effect of the economic downturn. The number of referrals made to homeless units had risen by 75 per cent since last year, it found, while the number of sleeping bags handed out to people living rough had trebled. The same distressing pattern of increasing homelessness has been identified by the Threshold organisation, while rising poverty levels and deprivation have caused the St Vincent de Paul and Combat Poverty to urge the Government to provide generous social welfare increases in the budget.
By and large, we are a caring society. And significant progress has been made in reducing levels of traditional poverty. There is still, however, a long way to go. Forty-two homeless people died prematurely on our streets in 2006. And an estimated 300,000 people were living in consistent poverty. Those shocking figures prompted the Government to bring forward plans that would address the special housing needs of vulnerable people and eradicate street homelessness by 2016. But no special funding was voted for the new facilities.
Poverty, deprivation, inadequate education and mental illness all feed into forms of social disadvantage that can destroy young lives and create long-term social problems. Average spending on the treatment of mental illness has fallen sharply in recent years. Yet mental illness emerges as a major indicator within homelessness groups and in our prison population. Not enough is being done. In the same way, attention should be paid to the educational needs of young people in deprived areas.
Given the large increase in food and fuel prices, the Government will have to be generous in providing social welfare increases if poverty levels are to be contained. Single-parent families are seen to be particularly at risk. Nearly half experience consistent poverty and they will require special attention in terms of allowances, housing and pre-school facilities. The Government has indicated that action will be taken on affordable housing. It must also address the needs of 40,000 people who depend on social housing.