Editor vows to fight for homeless vendors
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.JOHN BIRD, editor of the Big Issue, a magazine sold on city streets by homeless people, promised the Employment Service 'trench warfare' yesterday in its attempts to force the magazine to disclose the names of vendors.
The Employment Service is investigating the magazine's vendors as part of a crackdown on social security fraud. The service believes the magazine sellers may be earning more than the maximum pounds 2 per day. If they do, their benefits can be stopped on a day- by-day basis.
Employment Service officers can demand the names of employees but Mr Bird says the Big Issue is not an 'employer' but a wholesaler. 'We do not supply work to anybody - we're retailers. We supply the homeless with products. How they sell it and where they sell it is up to them.'
After yesterday's meeting with the Employment Service, Mr Bird said the officials had retired to consider their legal position. 'We are waiting for clarification. On the basis of that clarification they may find they have a few problems. At the moment we are not in a position to hand the names over.'
A spokeswoman for the Employment Service denied targeting the Big Issue: 'We had a tip-off that people were claiming benefit and working there at the same time. We just followed that up.'
Leading article, page 17
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments