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Feeding the Hungry - Part Two
After recent news that Westminster Council wanted to ban Soup Runs in London fortunately the council dropped the clause from its members bill at the last minute.
Sadly it seems that they are at it again, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 live:
When you see 50 to 80 people waiting for a soup run, they are not homeless people by and large.
...
(the bill) failed last month when other London councils refused to back it, but Westminster is determined to press ahead one way or another.
When will this woman stop her ridiculous personal vendetta against those less fortunate than herself?
For the first time in my life I find myself agreeing with Mayor of London Ken Livingstone:
I don't think anyone seriously faced with the choice of coming into a hostel will stay on the street because of a soup run,
And the idea with all the other problems we've got, with crime, that we should have police diverted to seizing their soup is just bizarre.
I think this was just another: 'Can we move the poor on from Westminister?'
I know it's late but Five Live Report: The Big Soup Issue can be heard at 1930 GMT on 23rd December. You can listen again or get the podcast at Five Live Report website
Feeding the Hungry to be a Criminal Offence in London?
Two events taking place this week highlight the delicious irony of the approach of London's leaders to supporting the homeless.
On Thursday 15th November, an Awards ceremony will take place. The Award is the Andy Ludlow Homelessness Award. £25,000 presented by the London Councils' organisation
"The winners of the Andy Ludlow Homeless Awards 2007 will be announced at a special ceremony at BFI Southbank next week – with £25,000 to be shared between organisations tackling homelessness in London.
The Andy Ludlow Awards recognise projects that improve services to homeless people, prevent homelessness, or tackle disadvantage caused by homelessness".
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=21198&cat=2424
However, the same organisation will - just two days earlier - be debating a proposal from Westminster Council to make it a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £2,500 to distribute free food to the homeless on publicly owned land.
Where page 14 states:
It is proposed to prohibit the distribution of free refreshments on land designated by a London borough council. It would also be an offence to cause another person to distribute such refreshments. To be designated, land would have to be in the open air, and open to public access.
Unlawful distribution of free food would be an offence, and would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
Exemptions would be included, for example, the distribution of refreshments to people taking part in sporting events or giving out free samples outside retail premises.
Whilst trumpeting its concerns for the homeless in its Awards ceremony, it seems that some at least of the members of the London Councils Leaders Committee seem more interested in sweeping them out of view and criminalising those who seek to help.
Concerned members of the public have contacted Mr Hatch, as suggested by the consultation on the private bill which is intended to introduce this new criminal offence of feeding the homeless
Comments should be sent to Oliver Hatch, Parliamentary and Public Affairs Officer,
London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 OAL or on
But are receiving a standard response of
The proposal was put forwards by Westminster City Council.
This and the other proposals for the forthcoming London Local Authorities Bill will be discussed and decided tomorrow.Oliver Hatch
Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer
London Councils
59½ Southwark Street
London, SE1 0ALT 020 7934 9558
M 07711-423655
The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, 15 November at 11.30am at the BFI Southbank. Special guests include Iain Wright MP and broadcaster Jon Snow. It is being organised by Councillor Carswell.
Iain Wright (http://www.iainwrightmp.org.uk) is a Labour MP.
Councillor Carswell (Lab) is the person responsible for the awards and for homelessness issues.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=18403
I emplore you to do anything within your power to stop this madness, how can any civilised nation outlaw giving food to the hungry and homeless.
