My young friend knows we are not all ‘in this together’

Published: August 25, 2011

FOUND a young man slumped on the town hall steps in Argyle Street, aged 21, and without the £20 needed for a bed promised in Finsbury Park.

And I talked to him.

From the North, in London and in search of work, but no luck there. After three nights sleeping rough he was exhausted. It was about 6pm. I bought him a snack but did not have the £20 he needed.

Then I read in the papers that George Osborne had been staying in Beverly Hills on holiday at £1,000 per night.

This is the man pushing plans to target those on benefits and who intends to reduce rental allowances given to people in “social” housing.

This will cause hardship and drive the poorer citizens out of central London. And we wonder why people riot!
We are not all “in this together” as the politicians boast. And where is the help on a Friday to deal with a case such as this 21-year-old?

The young man knew about how the people giving free meals to the needy feel hounded by the council (So where will the homeless get their free meals from, Letters, August 18).

The starving are not just overseas… the situation shames London.
Robin Hennessy
Cartwright Gardens, WC1