The homeless crisis is deepening

It was depressing. Morrisey sprung to mind as I wandered about this once charming Victorian seaside resort.

I was walking along the road opposite the Pavilion, stepping over litter and several homeless people.

They weren't bothering anyone, in four had found shelter separately in shop doorways. They were sleeping, heads and bodies covered with blankets.

It wasn't late, it was just after seven. I would want to sleep this early too, if I had no money and nowhere to live.

And then I saw a boy. He was probably about 18, but he looked younger, maybe. He was quiet, just sitting on the step.

In almost a whisper, he tried to ask me something. I think it was money he wanted. (I don't usually give money to homeless people. Not because I don't care, I do.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I rummaged through my purse. I handed him a fiver.

Despite his smile he looked so, so sad.

"Don't spend it on drugs." (massive assumption that every homeless person takes drugs, they don't. I know)

"Thank you, thank you. I won't. I don't."

"Where are you sleeping tonight?"

"I am going to sleep outside Lidl. It has CCTV cameras there."

"Well you stay safe."

"God bless you. God bless you."

I walked away and burst into tears. I couldn't stop. I miss my Dad.

The number of homeless families housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has increased by more than 300 per cent in the past five years.

These are people with children, so they are treated as a priority, as they should be, but the figure really is so much higher.

The numbers living in B&Bs for more than six weeks more than doubled over the past year alone.

And things are not going to get better in a hurry. In fact raising rents and slashing tax credits will just make it even more horrible.

Children's charity Barnardo’s calculates that some struggling families will lose £1,200 a year due to tax credit cuts announced in the Summer Budget.

The Government says it will significantly reduce the amount of money families receive, by removing tax credit support earlier and faster from people in low paid work.

And welfare support will only be given to the first two children.

Whatever your political view, let's not forget that children who grow up poor are more likely to be ill, do worse at school and be jobless in future.

There is a stark contrast between the rich and the poor. A gap which is getting wider with every new day.

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