Yesterday I was pleased to sign the Southampton Rough Sleeping and Begging Charter. This is a city wide commitment to address the very complex issue of homelessness in our city, by bringing the public sector, charity sector and businesses together to ensure that everyone is working towards the same ambition.
The clear commitment of this charter is that our city is a place where nobody needs to beg or sleep rough.
At the signing of the charter I highlighted the government commitment to half rough sleeping by 2022 and eradicate it altogether by 2027. To support this ambitious pledge, the government has provided Southampton with significant funding to invest in support for rough sleepers and those in housing need.
The quantity of beggars on the floor besides Tesco Express and fast food premises on London road is totally unacceptable, I counted 15 last Wednesday, my belief is many of these people are part of a racket organised by people with more money than an average person who gives and the beggars are probably bullied into doing it. Many have mental health issues and as a result are drunk or on drugs, why should I be stopped outside Tesco or using the only ATM remaining on this road for money? I am a rate payer and total fed up with it, why not occupy these sad people in community projects?