Government Supports Soup Run Ban

The Communities and Local Government department has backed moves by Westminster Council to ban rough sleeping and soup runs. The council is consulting on plans to ask CLG to approve a bye-law that would outlaw rough sleeping and soup runs in a wide area that includes Westminster Cathedral piazza and the department’s Eland House headquarters. A CLG spokesperson said: ‘Local homeless charities and Westminster Council believe that food handouts actually encourage people to sleep rough in central London, with all the dangers that entails. ‘There is no need for anyone to sleep rough in Westminster as there are a range of services that can help the vulnerable off the streets, and assist them make the first steps towards getting their lives back on track.’ Westminster announced it is consulting residents, businesses, local day centres and hostels and the voluntary sector on the plans earlier this week. Read more on Inside Housing or download a summary of a report compiled for Housing Justice called “Soup runs in Central London: ‘The right help in the right place at the right time?’”