Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PM’S insult for homeless kids’ plight at Xmas
THERESA May has sparked outrage after downplaying the plight of 120,000 homeless children.
MPS shouted “shame” as the PM lectured them yesterday that being homeless did not mean youngsters would be sleeping rough.
The uproar in the House of Commons came after research by charity Shelter warned that child homelessness had hit a 10-year high.
Labour MP Rosena Allinkhan said: “Every child deserves to have a roof over their head and food on the table.
“Yet on her watch – in Wandsworth [South West London] alone – the number of families forced to survive on food banks is continuing to rise.
“And 2,500 children, yes children, will wake up homeless on Christmas Day. When will this austerity-driven Government say enough is enough and put an end to this tragedy?”
But Mrs May hit back by accusing Dr Allin-khan of confusing the public The PM said: “It’s important… to be aware of this. She talks of 2,500 children in Wandsworth are waking up homeless on Christmas Day. “Anybody hearing that will assume that means 2,500 children will be sleeping on our streets. It does not.”
The Public Accounts Committee claimed the Government was “unacceptably complacent” on homelessness. Labour MP Alex Cunningham said families “need a home – not stuck in a hotel”.