We must end scourge of rough sleeping

The Liberal Democrats have announced that Wales would receive an extra £29m as a result of Liberal Democrat plans to end rough sleeping within five years in England.

The plan’s commitments to scrap the Vagrancy Act, increase Local Housing Allowance payments and extend the “move on” period for refugees from 28 days to 56 would be applicable to Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have a plan to end rough sleeping in Wales through devolved policy areas.

The latest government figures show that 347 people were sleeping rough across Wales in the 2 weeks between 15th and 28th October 2018. This is an increase of less than 1% (2 people) compared with October 2017.

In 2018, 1,320 people were prosecuted under the Vagrancy Act across England and Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds, commented:

No one in Wales should have to sleep on the streets. The numbers of rough sleepers on our streets is consistently high, serving as a clear example of our society’s failure to provide a genuine safety net for those who need it.

The Conservatives are failing to protect the most vulnerable in society. Their benefit cuts and the botched roll out of Universal Credit have seen poverty levels increase. Meanwhile, they have blocked Liberal Democrat efforts to repeal this cruel and Dickensian law that criminalises people who are forced to sleep rough.

We have a clear and credible plan to tackle rough sleeping, give everyone the dignity of their own home and build a brighter future for Wales.

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