A real crime is to punish homeless
■ HOMELESSNESS today is as rampant as Covid-19 was a short while ago. To criminalise homeless people is nonsensical as well as outrageous.
The desperate Tories have nowhere to go and are about to reach the end of the line judging by the opinion polls. How do you fine rough sleepers when they only have begging bowls? Where do they go if moved on by the police? Surely not into police cells, which are full, like our prisons.
It is unsurprising homelessness has doubled since the Tories came to power in 2010, and it’s all due to the calamitous way the country has been governed – the rich become richer, the poor poorer by the day. Roll on the general election. Let’s make the ‘nasty party’ homeless in Westminster.
Bill Cook, Teignmouth, Devon
■ Why is rough sleeping a crime? Crime usually requires a deliberate intention to do something wrong – no one would choose to become homeless unless there was no other option. The usual causes involve mental health and drug or sexual abuse, not a voluntary, positive choice.
The best option would be to remove homelessness, not by punishing them or moving them out of sight, but by providing free, basic, safe accommodation and support services to help them resolve the issues that made them choose to be homeless. This is not a crime.
Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne Australia
■ So, Rishi Sunak wants to fine the homeless and rough sleepers £2,500? Where does he think these unfortunate people will find that kind of money? He also considers sending them to prison when they are already at bursting point. What planet is this man on?
Alan Parkin, Sheffield
■ I cannot believe the plan to either fine or jail rough sleepers. No one wants to be homeless. This only goes to show that Sunak is heartless and cold – that he only cares about his rich Tory donors who can do something for him.
This plan must not be allowed to be passed. When I read this on April 2 I thought it was an April Fool’s joke gone too far.
Alan Gill, Widnes, Cheshire
■ Now MPs propose to criminalise homeless people and arrest them. What on earth has happened to implement draconian laws like this on those struggling to live?
How dare these wealthy fatcats who are overrated, pompous, lazy, bombastic, self-opinionated and worthless sirs, lords and dames think like this.
Reg Barrett, Southminster, Essex
■ Who in this government thought it was a good idea to bring a bill to parliament making it a crime to be homeless?
This means you would be fined £2,500 if you’re without a home. Who thinks they’d be able to pay a fine like this? And then they’d be imprisoned and have a criminal record to boot.
People would be better getting on a small boat and claiming asylum in Dover. The Tories would put you up in a hotel room.
Heartless doesn’t even come close to describing this Conservative nonsense.
Tony Howard, Salford
■ Has the Prime Minister finally lost it, saying that homeless people should pay a £2,500 fine or go to jail? Where does he think homeless people would get that kind of money? That is why they are on the streets! Perhaps they would like to go to jail and have a nice warm bed for a few weeks – is that what Sunak is thinking?
Janet Williams
Loughborough, Leicestershire