Event gives a voice to doorstep poverty

from The Telegraph and Argus

By Paddy McGuffin

People are recounting their personal experiences of poverty and homelessness at an awareness event taking place in Bradford today.

Bradford has two of the worst wards in the country for child poverty and a significant "hidden" homelessness problem, according to groups which deal with the issue on a daily basis.

Today's event, called Speak Out On Poverty, has been organised as part of a national campaign running until the end of next week.

The campaign is being supported by various groups and organisations as well as the Church of England.

Sam Randall, church in the world officer for the Bradford Diocese, said: "Poverty and homelessness are complex issues and can be hidden from view which means often people are not aware of them.

"When we talk about poverty we are not necessarily talking about people being destitute although, of course, that is part of it. Poverty can affect anyone - single parents, students, long-term carers.

"In the current economic climate with fixed incomes, more and more people are feeling the strain. Poverty affects us all and can damage the cohesion of communities.

"I spoke to someone the other day who had been offered a mortgage seven times their salary. To me that is absolutely criminal. How were they ever going to pay that back?"

"Some of our wards here in Bradford have pockets of deep poverty, there is also the issue of rural poverty which is often overlooked. This is an issue which we should all be concerned about and these events are all about opening people's eyes.

"Everyone must get involved. Local representatives, local businesses, not just the voluntary sector and the church who are incredibly committed to the issue.

"For me these issues are far more important than putting a pond in the middle of the city. When Jesus said the poor we shall always have with us' he wasn't saying there is nothing we can do about it."

Marsha Singh, Labour MP for Bradford West, who is attending today's event, said: "I think events such as this are very important in raising public awareness. It is very easy to forget about poverty.

"This country is very good at helping impoverished people in the developing world and quite rightly so but at the same time we have to be aware of poverty on our own doorstep.

"It could be your next-door neighbour or a pensioner unable to pay her fuel bills. Fuel poverty is an issue I hope will be addressed at the event today.

"I am proud that this Labour Government is acting on poverty as a priority. Of course, there is always more that can be done and you cannot reverse decades and decades of poverty overnight but good work is being done."

Speak Out On Poverty is being held at the Impressions Gallery in Centenary Square, Bradford, from 11am until 12.30pm.