April 10, 2013 11.29 am
This story is over 110 months old
Your MP: Homelessness is unacceptable
Getting shelter: In a civilized society it is unacceptable that some of the most vulnerable people should be living on the street, writes the Lincoln MP.
In a civilized society it is unacceptable that some of the most vulnerable people should be living on the street, making do with doorways and cardboard boxes for beds.
That is why I have taken part in Sleep Easy events to raise money for Lincoln’s YMCA projects that help tackle homelessness, and provide family support, health and fitness, and education and skills to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. I know thousands of people in towns and cities up and down our country have also taken part in similar events over the past few years in their local communities.
On coming into office, this Government established a Ministerial Working Group on homelessness to tackle the problems behind rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness. Their report, Making Every Contact Count provided the blueprint for councils, charities, health services and the police to work together to tackle homelessness. This support, which includes repossession, tenancy or debt advice and re-housing services, can help put people back on track before they lose their home.
The Government has made clear its commitment to early intervention in tackling homelessness. It is investing £470 million between 2011 and 2015 to help local authorities prevent and tackle homelessness, rough sleeping and repossessions and has increased the discretionary housing payments pot to around £400 million over the spending period in order to help families and those in vulnerable situations with the transition of welfare reform changes.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has backed the ‘No Second Night Out’ pilot in London which provides a 24-hour phone line that members of the public can use to report people that are sleeping rough, allowing them to be referred to an assessment hub for help. The DCLG is using a new £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund to roll out the principles of this scheme across the country.
The Government has also supported the voluntary sector to develop a new service, Streetlink, which offers a hand-up, rather than a handout. Streetlink provides a central point of contact that anyone who wants to get help for rough sleepers across England can call.
It is not right that families can be stuck in bed and breakfast accommodation for prolonged periods, and the law is clear that families should only be placed in this temporary accommodation in an emergency and for no more than six weeks. This is because since November 2012, local authorities have had new powers under the Localism Act to use good-quality private rented sector accommodation so that families will no longer need to be placed in temporary accommodation, such as B&Bs, while they wait for social housing to become available.
I am pleased that this Government will continue to work with the Ministerial Working Group and voluntary sector partners to prevent homelessness.
Karl McCartney was the Conservative Lincoln MP between 2010 and 2017. He is now the Conservative candidate for the city for the next general elections.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.