New research mapping severe and multiple disadvantage in England shines a new and striking light on centuries old debate about whether poor people owe their circumstances to structural economic factors or to moral/behavioural failings.
Category: Homelessness & Social Exclusion
The ‘Feeding Britain’ report: Deeper into the woods?
As the lead investigator on the ‘Overview of Food Aid Provision in Scotland’ study and the ‘Review of the Scottish Welfare Fund’, Dr. Filip Sosenko comments on a recent Westminister enquiry on food poverty.
Having a legal right to settled accommodation empowers homeless people in Scotland
Scotland is very unusual in granting virtually all homeless people a legal entitlement to settled accommodation. Beth Watts asks what difference such legal rights really make to experiences of homelessness.
Miserable in our own way? Poverty, Exclusion, Inequality and the Scottish Independence Debate
Professor Glen Bramley discusses why he believes that from a poverty and welfare perspective, Scotland should stay within the UK.
Scottish poverty study calls on Governments to tackle rising deprivation
The percentage of households falling below society’s minimum standard of living has increased from 14% to 33% over the last 30 years, despite the size of the economy doubling. This is one of the stark findings from the largest study of poverty and deprivation ever conducted in the UK.
Housing vulnerable and marginalised people – the role of housing providers
Dr. Volker Busch-Geertsema has researched homelessness in both Germany and the rest of Europe for more than 25 years. In this short film, he discusses the role of social housing providers in accommodating marginalised populations.
Tackling Poverty in the UK: the best evidence and the right perspective
Earlier this year, I took part in an event focusing on how lasting change for people and places in poverty can be achieved. Here is my answer – By Beth Watts.
What difference do Scotland’s legal rights to housing make to homelessness? An interview with Beth Watts
Watch an interview by Beth Watts about the difference Scotland’s legal rights to housing make to the experiences of homeless people
‘Designing out’: a callous or compassionate response to rough sleeping?
The installation of ‘spikes’ to deter rough sleepers from bedding down in a doorway in London has prompted an outcry in social media. Dr Sarah Johnsen considers the ethicality of ‘designing out’ rough sleepers.
Homelessness in Northern Ireland
This report is part of the UK homelessness monitors series and focuses on homelessness in Northern Ireland. It provides a ‘baseline’ account of the situation in 2013, spanning issues of rough sleeping, temporary accommodation, statutory homelessness and ‘hidden’ homelessness.