Big Issue founder calls for Government to 'change education' to fix homelessness

Big Issue founder Lord John Bird has called on the Government to “change education” to address the problems behind homelessness.

Lord Bird acknowledged the Government’s “levelling-up” agenda was aimed at addressing those parts of the country that have been left behind.

“So when I get asked what would I – John Bird, ex-homeless, ex-slum dweller – do? I always say ‘change education’,” he wrote in the Sunday Express.

“Support children in the very early stages of their life, support parents to do a better job of bringing their children up. Stop failing our children at school – 35% is the figure who come out of school with little or no sign of education and social skills.

“These children are those most likely to end up homeless, end up being the working poor, in long-term unemployment or in our hospitals suffering from poor diet.”

The 75-year-old said the “vast fortunes” spent by governments on homelessness since the 1980s had not brought about social transformation, adding that wiser investment was required.

“The greatest contribution we can make now is to understand where the social money we spend is going and how much of it is wasted. How much of it is a stop gap, doesn’t help long term and doesn’t increase people’s chance of having a fuller life?” he wrote in the newspaper.

“The welfare state supports many, but it can harm people’s chances. A good solid family life and a good solid education puts you on the road to self-improvement. The Government should be encouraging people towards that.

“It should look again at social security and how it could be used to create social opportunity.

“We need an audit of what works, what helps. We need a Government brave enough to say the present system of spending is not delivering for many citizens.”

It comes after the Government announced £316 million to support homeless people and those at risk of losing their homes.

The Homelessness Prevention Grant will help people find a new home, get help with evictions or move into temporary accommodation, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said prior to Christmas.

It will be available to councils in England over 2022-23 based on local need.