Lead Councillor for Housing and Neighbourhoods Rachel Eden has called on the House of Lords to back the call by Reading’s diocesan bishop, the Bishop of Oxford, and seventeen other Church of England Bishops to protect families from benefit cuts that threaten homelessness for many children. The call, supported by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, comes as the cuts announced at last year’s Conservative Party Conference and included in the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill come up for debate this week.
In a letter in Sunday’s Observer, the Bishops quote the Children’s Society as saying the Coalition’s plan will cut support for 200,000 children, leaving as many as 80,000 homeless, and call it ‘profoundly unjust’.
With unemployment high and rising, people from all walks of life could be affected by the £500 a week benefit cap and, at an already difficult time of their lives, be in danger of losing their home. It can cost the public thousands to place a family in temporary accommodation.
“The Bishops,” says Cllr. Eden, “say that they have a commitment and moral obligation to speak up for those who have no voice: it’s time this government listened. Labour, charities and now religious leaders are warning that with rents at the levels they are, particularly in places like Reading, this measure could force families from their homes causing misery for children and, incidentally, putting pressure on public finances.”
“Reading Borough council is already seeing an increase in both people at risk of homelessness and those actually homeless.” she says, “We are doing all we can to prevent people becoming homeless and at the same time working with our partners, including faith groups, to increase support to those that do.”
“We will continue to put pressure on this irresponsible government to change their policies, but if residents do find themselves at risk of losing their home I’d urge them to contact the council early so we can help them avoid it”.
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