Meaningless promise to eradicate rough sleeping within a decade in London

Westminster Watch on Radio 4 held a discussion around the fate of rough sleepers particularly during adverse weather conditions. Heather Wheeler, government Housing Minister, stated that this Tory government intended to improve the position of England’s estimated 4,700 rough sleepers.

When pressed by Westminster Watch presenter Carolyn Quinn over the government’s claim of eliminating rough sleeping in England within a decade Wheeler responded:

“It’s a high ambition. But I don’t see why we won’t get that sorted. I accept that I am inheriting a very difficult, complex problem – and I also accept that, six weeks in to the job, I am inheriting a decisive prime ministerial decree which I will deliver.”

Asked how would she feel if she was unable to deliver this goal Heather Wheeler responded:

“Well there are two answers to that: a) it won’t and b) I’d resign.”

Wheeler listed what she saw as the underlying reasons for homelessness and rough sleeping. She cited drug, alcohol, mental health and family breakdown problems as underlying causes. She mentioned a ‘housing first’ scheme with a £28 million budget that would direct homeless people to shelters. From here they could progress into ‘move-on’ homes aided by key workers, and from her into their own homes.

However, Wheeler’s finally triggered my pharyngeal reflex when she blathered,

“That is the utopia and that is the line I want to see happening for these poor friends,”

Instead of Carolyn Quinn challenging Wheeler’s government for creating the very poverty that feeds into homelessness via the enforcement of their ‘Bedroom Tax’, compulsory payment of Council Tax by all, Universal Credit, and benefits’ sanctions she gave her a pass. Indeed, she gushed at Wheeler for stating on live radio that she’s resign if the government’s pledge of solving the problem wasn’t met in a decade.

Pledging to resign if a goal is not achieved in a decade is meaningless. The chances of Wheeler being the Homeless Minister in ten years’ time is unlikely. The likelihood of this particular Tory government being in power is, hopefully, improbable.