MULHOLLAND CALLS ON PARLIAMENT TO REMEMBER THE HOMELESS THIS CHRISTMAS
December 20, 2005 12:00 AM
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has laid a motion in Parliament today expressing concern for the homeless at Christmas.
Greg, who has been very active on the issue of homelessness since becoming an MP, has tabled a motion praising the work of national and local homelessness charities at Christmas and also noting the seriousness of the situation of the homeless over the festive season, particularly in light of the expected harsh winter.
Commenting, Greg said:
"Christmas is the most difficult time for the homeless and this is particularly the case this year, with the reports of an extremely cold winter. It is important that people remember, when they are enjoying themselves this Christmas, that homelessness is still a real issue; that the homeless face many other difficulties associated with this.
"When I was a candidate, I promised members of the Crisis 'Big Voice' tour when I met with them in Leeds, who were either homeless or had been homeless, that if I became an MP, I would do all I could to raise the issue of homelessness. So by getting this on the agenda, I like to think that I have kept my promise to them.
"I hosted a meeting with the Crisis Homelessness Panel two weeks ago in Parliament and I have been to hostels and shelters in Leeds and London speaking to homeless people, getting a better idea of the real problems they face.
"I have discovered that the situation is much more complicated than I thought, that there are many problems in the system that prevent people getting back into work and into housing and, in some areas, disgraceful discrimination that is entirely unacceptable in a modern society.
"I am particularly concerned about the 'hidden homeless', those people either sleeping rough, in squats or on friends' floors who simply don't appear in official figures. We must start by facing up to the reality of the homeless problem in this country before we can adequately deal with it. Government strategy must not be about figures and targets; it must be about real sustainable solutions.
"So it is time to face up to homelessness in the country and do more to tackle it. For all of us who have homes, when we are celebrating with our families and friends this Christmas, we must remember how fortunate we are."
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