This is a Journal entry by Gubernatrix

Nefarious Blunkett

Post 1

Gubernatrix

Very worried about government proposals to give beggars a criminal record. Talk about kicking someone when they're down!!! These are people who are at the lowest point, no home, possible drink/drugs/mental health problems, no job. And just for good measure, let's give them a criminal record so that they *certainly* won't be able to get a job anytime soon!

Mr Blunkett says: "Nobody needs to beg in this country. There will be accommodation for them if they want, there are benefits available to them, even if they have not got a fixed abode."

This is not true. Simple as that.

I think there have been big improvements in the provisions for homeless people, but it makes me very angry to hear politicians claim things that are not true, especially when it's an obvious pathetic attempt to win some support.

It can take years for a homeless person to get into permanent accommodation. It can take months to get into temporary accommodation. There are criteria and priorities and if you don't count as a priority (if you're a single man over 21, for example) then you are in a bad position. In theory you can claim benefits - in practice this can take a long time to come through and probably won't be enough anyway.

I had to apply for Job Seeker's Allowance once. I got £53 a week. Imagine having to survive on £53 a week in London!!!

By linking "beggars at cashpoints" with "frightening gangs on street corners" and "drug dens", Blunkett is simply reinforcing and even increasing the prejudice and intolerance already apparent in our society.

Having said all that, I'm still not quite sure what is wrong with begging in the first place.smiley - erm


Nefarious Blunkett

Post 2

Researcher 236453

You may not know that begging is already a criminal offence (under the Vagrancy Act for example). I have seen a stream of beggars being sentenced for it at Bow Street Magistrates Court.

You will be pleased to know that they were all sentenced to 1 day in prison (which they had already served in police cells the previous night) so the court let them go as soon as possible, but it does happen.

I suspect some police forces go for it more than others, which is hardly fair.

The problem with begging is if you are a vulnerable person it can be quite difficult to tell the difference between genuine beggar and forceful mugger until its rather too late. My wife is partially sighted and gets really upset when beggars come up to her.

The answer must be to make sure people have enough money to live on rather than put them in prison (which costs more anyway).


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