Private landlords and hotels ‘cashing in’ on England’s hidden homelessness crisis
Exclusive: Half of local authorities charged double by private providers for temporary housing, investigation finds
When the "haves" rip off the "have-nots".
Homelessness is a collective failure for all of us as society. And private property is not the prize for talent and effort. It’s the byproduct of public policies, the same policies that cause homelessness.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
28.04.2025 06:06 —
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Indeed - met one member of @grippuk.bsky.social last week who had been sent a letter by mistake that included the cost of the hotel she was housed in when she was made homeless. £650 per week!!
29.04.2025 14:15 —
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The UK’s social security system falls way below international human rights standards: new report
An expert looks at the evidence for a new report from Amnesty International.
✂️ The UK’s social security system doesn’t just fail people — it breaches basic human rights.
A new report shows benefits are way below international standards. Poverty isn’t a policy accident; it’s a political choice. @koldocasla.bsky.social
theconversation.com/the-uks-soci...
28.04.2025 17:52 —
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First stop @grainnemcmahon.bsky.social to think about how we capture our learning and impact...
22.04.2025 13:23 —
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Photo of peice of paper with lots of notes written in various angles, in blue qnd black ink..some crossed out, others circled. It looks a mess!
Armed with 30+ questions the whole GRIPP gang have been developing over the last month...
...How do we engage our communities with the #CESCR2025 concluding observations about #Poverty in UK?...How can we be sustainable?...How do we continue to build relationships based on trust and solidarity?...
22.04.2025 13:23 —
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Visiting @raparuk.bsky.social @thriveteesside.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social and meeting with Learnt experience partners too @amnestyuk.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social Bevan Foundation
22.04.2025 13:23 —
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A suitcase, with scarf and rucksack piled on top. On sunny train station platform alone. It looks heavy!
Lugging more flipcharts and post-its than flannels and pants!
22.04.2025 13:23 —
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Photo of mid aged white women, with short brown hair, wearing sunglasses and stripey top. Against sunny blue sky. Under a train station sign that reads "Bushey"
So what do you do when 32 people across the UK want to be part of deciding the next steps for GRIPP and there's no budget for a residential?
Well we send our Cocktail Stick on tour!
Starting today from Bushey to Manchester, then onto Stockton on Tees and Glasgow and then London next week...
22.04.2025 13:23 —
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We are in Geneva at the United Nations and our message is clear. #CESCR2025
14.02.2025 17:51 —
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Joint submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on Gypsies, Roma and Travellers - Friends, Families and Travellers
Today, Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) publicised its joint submission to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, alongside Roma Support Group (RSG), Gypsy and Traveller Empowerm...
We are in Geneva at the UN to highlight the urgent state of everyday rights in the UK – it’s clear that the system is broken.
With 30+ orgs, we gave evidence to @justfairuk.bsky.social's submission. Now, we need action to build a fairer UK. #CESCR2025
gypsy-traveller.org/news/joint-s... (1/5)
14.02.2025 12:51 —
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Amanda and Tracey didn't nab any breakfast buffet, but they're happy and ready to go!!
14.02.2025 13:07 —
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Ready and waiting for the meeting between NGOs and #OHCHR organised by @hrw.org
No time for lunch so eating left over breakfast from the hotel!!
#CESCR2025
@thriveteesside.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @atd4thworld.bsky.social
14.02.2025 13:06 —
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Closing remarks from rapateur of #CESCR2025 raises his concerns about the reality of poverty in the UK that he has heard first hand from those with lived experience of such violations. Also thanking contribution of those who have travelled to Geneva & the valuable evidence that they have provided
14.02.2025 12:00 —
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Great last question from Committee Member Ms Lee in #CESCR2025 challenging the Govt to share how it will improve social security and not just see it as a tool to force people to work but as a system that should treat all recipients with dignity and respect
14.02.2025 11:39 —
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Govt talk of need to "protect women" when discussing trans community access to sport is just another example of the tactic that the powers that be use to distract and divide communities to avoid accountability & justice for all. We talk of this tactic in our submission gripp.org.uk/wp-content/u...
14.02.2025 11:22 —
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Handwritten poem, on lined notebook with pink edges. It reads:
Blah Blah Blah
All talk
mouths move
repeat repeat repear
excuse their unwillingness
to comply
to international law
using devolution as an excuse
quoting countries
not even mentioned
nothing to see here
nothing new heard
same old
same old
Julie Easley
14/02/2025
Geneva
Poem by @julieeasleypoet.bsky.social sums up how we feel about UK Government's response @ #CESCR2025 right now
@thriveteesside.bsky.social @atd-fourthworld-uk.bsky.social @raparuk.bsky.social @povertytruthscot.bsky.social @justfairuk.bsky.social @amnestyuk.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social
14.02.2025 11:17 —
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Chair of #CESCR2025 questioning UK report that put such emphasis on future plans, future reviews with little about actual implementation or change
We would ask, if the Govt is going to be develop all of these future plans, how are will people living in poverty be involved in developing these plans?
14.02.2025 10:53 —
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Govt response only talk of 'adults' and failed to acknowledge the experiences of trans children in the UK. The plans for another 'review' is a distraction when the UK isn't yet following international guidance for gender based health care.
14.02.2025 10:29 —
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The inadequate response given around housing benefit being frozen since 2013, stating that 'local authority Housing Allowance increased in 2024 and will remain at thus rate in 2025.
There was absolutely no acknowledgement of people having to top up rent payments year on year from limited budget
14.02.2025 10:26 —
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We welcome this improvement but it neglects so much...It fails to appreciate the fact that a lot of debt, such as council tax arrears and rent is subject to harsh practices and steep costs - such as bailiffs and court summons. This debt is not primarily repaid through UC...
14.02.2025 10:26 —
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DWP responses in #CESCR2025 included accepting that the child poverty strategy due to be published in Spring isnt enough to help people now. Emphasis was put on the govt fair repayment scheme which will limit repayment to 15% for those on UC.
14.02.2025 10:26 —
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We welcome the #CESCR2025 questioning the UK Government about delays Trans community are facing in accessing healthcare
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
14.02.2025 10:10 —
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Good to hear the #CESCR2025 committee asking why a country like the UK with its resources and capacity has such issues related to #foodpoverty leading to malnutrition and related disease.
14.02.2025 10:07 —
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This is the 1st time, as far as I can gather from my own research, that the CESCR has raised the issue of children in care from families in poverty in relation to any country. The UK Gov admitted failure, and that it has to change. It's something to hold them to account in the future. #CESCR2025 🇬🇧
14.02.2025 09:51 —
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But we welcome the example from Northern Ireland of the social supermarkets which have wrap around support (debt advice, welfare support, connections, vols opps ...) to address food insecurity
Definitely something we want to find out more about
14.02.2025 09:41 —
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Talk of increase in funding through household support fund is inadequate. Our understanding is this increase is not relative to rising costs & needs in local authority areas. The strict criteria to access the fund, esp around evidencing vulnerability prevents many low income households accessing it
14.02.2025 09:41 —
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The Government just responded to a CESCR question about refugees and asylum seekers hosted by the Home Office in hotels.
They forgot to mention that nearly 30% of their ODA budget is spent on this, neither overseas, nor development.
#CESCR2025 🇬🇧
Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri....
14.02.2025 09:36 —
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