Homelessness, Violent Crime and Debt on the Rise

Welfare reforms are being linked to a rise in homelessness, violent crime, people in debt and the number of children relying on food banks to get by in Kent, a shock report has suggested. The reforms are also being linked to a rise in the number of vulnerable children being placed in Kent from other areas, notably London. It cautions the findings are “fairly tentative”, but there is “potential for increased vulnerability of some residents” resulting from the changes. It says the number of people who are homeless in Kent rose by 25% in the first three months of the year, while the number of families temporarily in bed and breakfast accommodation was up 22%, compared with the figure for the same period the year before. Read more at Kentonline.