BIG ISSUES AT PARLIAMENT
In a week which has been about the powerlessness of ordinary people it was wonderful to see Big Issue vendor William Herbert brought right into the heart of Government.
Lord Bird MBE, founder of the Big Issue, took William – a vendor of 26 years who has overcome battles with addiction, alcoholism, homelessness and cancer – to hear the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday.
“Today, I swapped my Big Issue tabard for a new suit,” William, 57, said. “I feel like a million pounds. I’d never have dreamt I’d make it to Parliament.”
Lord Bird said: “It’s my job to keep the voices of people like William at the heart of Westminster’s work.
“I’m looking to create a national Poverty Prevention Alliance and I also tabled my Private Member’s Bill.
“If it becomes law, it’ll mean credit providers have to take rental and council tax payment history into account when they assess our creditworthiness. Why should it cost more to be poor?”