Government must act to prevent deaths on our streets

Responding to Government figures that nearly 600 homeless people died on the streets last year, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Homelessness Spokesperson Tim Caswell said "These deaths are absolutely tragic. As a wealthy country, we simply cannot accept people dying on our streets."

Tim added "The Conservative Government's failure to look after these individuals is a shameful dereliction of duty. Conservative Ministers must recognise the urgent need to build more social homes. The Liberal Democrats want to see 50,000 social houses to be built every year, rising to 100,000 as soon as possible. These figures also bring into sharp focus how homelessness services for mental health and substance abuse desperately need more funding. The housing crisis is a human crisis. It is depriving people of a roof over their head with devastating consequences. The time for warm words and little action has long gone."