Letter: Clarke's cuts a blow to homeless
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.Sir: Homeless people and beggars are not necessarily synonymous ("Hey Jimmy: heard about the minister who thinks most beggars are Scots?",11 January). However, those homeless people using our Cold Weather Shelter last week were as follows: almost 80 per cent were male, with the same percentage having slept rough on the night before moving in. Almost one in five was aged over 50, with the predominant group in their mid-thirties. More than a quarter were "local". Scots represented only 6 per cent (the same percentage as Asian and Irish), less than both Black British and European.
These statistics are freely available from agencies working with homeless people. Indeed the Cold Weather Shelters are government-funded, so by implication it is the Government which assists us in keeping the details. It is a pity therefore that Government ministers cannot quote facts.
CHERYL ST CLAIR
Director, Providence Row
London E1
The above three letters appeared in the first edition of yesterday's 'Independent'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments