UK government welfare reforms are fueling a rise in homelessness in towns and cities across Britain, according to a new report.
Results of an investigation published in the Observer newspaper on Sunday said that more and more people had become unable to afford homes as a result of government cuts to social housing benefits and a shift to lump sum payments in the universal credit system.
The Observer said it had interviewed homelessness charities across England where they said universal credit was a major factor in fueling destitution and rough sleeping in their burrows and districts.
One charity even said that universal credit, which came into force since 2013 and was meant to replace a six-tier benefit system, was the main reason for a third of its clients losing their homes and apply for social housing.
Bill Tidnam, chief executive of Thames Reach, which runs homeless hostels across London, said universal credit had made it difficult…