The Home Secretary was criticised by Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho and senior backbencher Steve Brine for trying to defend the move on the grounds that sleeping rough was a 'lifestyle choice' by those on the streets.
Criticism from Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho and backbencher Steve BrineRishi Sunak refused to fully endorse Suella Braverman today as she faced mounting Tory anger from within Tory ranks today over claims that homelessness is a 'lifestyle choice'.
Organisations could be fined for doing so if it is deemed to have caused a nuisance under the plans being pitched for inclusion in the King's Speech, which will set out the UK Government's legislative agenda tomorrow. The potential law would also seek to prevent the obstruction of shop doorways by rough sleepers who are using tents.
And today, her Cabinet colleague Claire Coutinho, the Energy Secretary, refused to endorse the description, saying there were 'complex and very varied' that people ended up without a roof over their heads. A spokesman for the Prime Minister later could not say whether the Government had evidence to back up the Home Secretary's claim, saying: 'The reasons are complex, I think mental health and addiction are drivers of homelessness.'
She said there are 'options for people who don't want to be sleeping rough' and that she wants to stop 'those who cause nuisance and distress to other people by pitching tents in public spaces, aggressively begging, taking drugs, littering and blighting our communities.' Appearing on Monday's morning media round, Ms Coutinho said: 'Before I came to Parliament I did a lot of work in social justice. I actually worked with people who were homeless, and I think the reasons that people get into that position are complex and very varied, so I wouldn't necessarily use the language of ''lifestyle choice''.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Suella Braverman: Minister distances herself from home secretary's comment that rough sleeping is 'lifestyle choice'Claire Coutinho said she 'wouldn't necessarily use the language' used by Suella Braverman - who has been criticised for describing rough sleeping as a 'lifestyle choice' - saying the reasons for homelessness are 'complex and varied'.
Read more »
Lewes Bonfire Night: Rishi Sunak unveiled as effigyThousands attend 5 November celebrations in the historic East Sussex town.
Read more »
Rishi Sunak says King’s Speech will strengthen British societyThe King’s Speech will set out the legislative programme for the next session of Parliament.
Read more »
Rishi Sunak says King’s Speech will strengthen British societyThe King’s Speech will set out the legislative programme for the next session of Parliament.
Read more »
Rishi Sunak and Elon Musk are a dark foretaste of our dystopian futureLAST week saw two events which revealed the sort of new politics that surround us. At one, the UK Prime Minister interviewed Elon Musk like a…
Read more »