Prior to the season of Olympic euphoria, Young Labour activists from across the UK met at Newcastle university for their first annual conference. Top of the weekend schedule was the selection of a new priority campaign for young members, with options including youth unemployment, unpaid internships and youth homelessness all up for discussion.
After hearty debate, delegates voted to back campaigning on the plight of young people who find themselves without a home. Members spoke of their own experience of housing and of the problems in their areas, as well as a handful of illuminating personal testimonies from those who have had to face the issue directly. It became clear the scale of the problem: whether Glasgow or Golders Green, homelessness is a visible problem in our communities. And one which disproportionately affects young people yet to have had the chance to build a security net for themselves.
Just a day after Young Labour members took action, David Cameron announced he wants to take an axe to all housing benefit for those aged under 25. If you fall out of work or earn a low income,‘tough. You should move back in with mum and dad and save and work’, he declared. This was a move designed to appease his Tory hard right, reminiscent of one Thatcher policy: pulling housing benefit from 16 and 17 year olds.
It seems perversely fitting that Tories in power announced plans to punish the young and vulnerable, on the very same weekend Young Labour took the little power we have to help that same group. It is on occasions like this that the dividing lines of politics become a canyon. But we need not feel powerless in this debate.
Labour became a party of power again this year, winning 75 councils alongside those we already hold, and the government of Wales. These are authorities who have some power to challenge the situation being dished out from Tory central office.
Young Labour want to utilise our national activist base to ensure Labour-run authorities recognise the issues faced by the young and homeless. Though out power in of Westminster, we can still deliver tangible change to help those on the streets. No local authority should turn away a young, single homeless person without giving them, at least, advice and assistance. This goes without saying for other demographics.
Regrettably the number of under-25s sleeping rough is already on a five-figure scale. That’s why we need change, and why Young Labour groups will be campaigning in their communities to support the young and homeless. This is a chance to reach out and do what we can to ensure no young person goes to sleep at night without a roof over their head, and some sense of hope to hold on to.
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Benjamin Butterworth is a member of Young Labour and tweets @benjaminbutter
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As far as Housing Benefit is concerned all that young people will be offered if in housing need is assistance for a share single room.
ya ya the Tories are ‘ tackling ‘ it – RUGBY TACKLING it, that’s their game see bang thump obliterate
no fancy footwork passing share and beauty no no Tory Town clean and clear ( &60% overseas ownership) and off to the tip with the muck. Ha ha and “they won’t need exams where they’re going ” !