Big Issue founder says Government needs to ‘get off its rear’
Lord Bird said people face slipping into poverty and homelessness.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The threat of homelessness for many families is worse than it has ever been, the Big Issue founder has said.
Lord Bird said the Government needs to “get off its rear” and move away from short-term solutions.
He said there are a million people, if not more, who face slipping into poverty and homelessness due to not being able to pay their rent or mortgage.
“And that is the most worrying thing that I have seen certainly since the days of the early launch of the Big Issue,” he told Times Radio.
Asked if he thinks the threat of homelessness for many families is worse than it has ever been, Lord Bird said: “Yes, I mean, historically, we do not have a situation like this, and I don’t want to sound like an old git, but maybe living in Cambridge has made me think of history, but I think you’d have to go back to the Highland Clearances, or even the enclosures, that drove thousands and thousands of people into the cities.
“Absolutely wretched. Nowhere to stay and getting jobs at the mills.
“I don’t think there has ever been a period in history like that, maybe at the end of the Napoleonic Wars where people were drifting into the streets with no support.
“After the First World War there was a lot of people that were displaced. After the Second World War there was support, but we have not had a situation like this. It’s historical.
“And I think this Government has got to get off its rear and stop talking about doing short-term things.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.