The 'new and unexpected breed' of Britain's homeless

As austerity cuts continue to bite, Channel 4 News reveals the number of homeless people is surging. Social Affairs Editor Jackie Long finds a new type of homeless person is emerging.

[@peterdavidasige8073]

This is 11 years old. About time they made a new video.

[@saraswatkin9226]

No point nothing has changed.

[@DORKSIDE616]

He's not an idiot Lee Morgan. He's attempting to keep his independence and trying to make the most out of a bad situation.

[@thebutcherofbenghazi.libya3348]

"We don't want you to feel a need for indpendence. Come and work on a commune, managed by out Saudi -dictator- autocrat allies, citizen. Oh, don't mind the BILLIONS you paid into retirement, medical care, etc in past DECADES are being used to benefit layabout jobless of Muslim nations so our Saudi billionaire friends don't need pay welfare to their wn peopl whom they failed to educat even to a point of 2nd grade literacy or even to a point of knowing basic arithmetic or geometry & then wondered why their own Arabian nations have no competent workforce, now our middle-class will join their homeless as your retirement/Medicare funds are given to these nice Muslim gentlemen who follow *Muhammad's example of raping any non-muslim woman, as well.* So now we've got you fighting each other (divide & conquer). They AND you can't afford to be independent, once we take 50% of what you paid in past decades & we give your retirement funds of 100,000,000 Canadians to 100,000,000 "new Canadians" i.e.rape-fugees, so now we have 200,000,000 -citizens- serfs; see how & why you NEED us, now, citizen?

[@charlottebruce979]

Universal credit would have helped him to pay his rent. I'm afraid dignity and snobbery need to go out of the window if you are down on your luck. I cant believe he chose a tent over a warm flat.

[@alison2984]

Same I mean come on... sometimes you just have to suck it up and apply for benefits

[@saraswatkin9226]

Military person. Alot of them become are lost after the army and cannot cope with civilian life and do not admit they need help. The military have their own social care system but alot fall through the net. Hope he os okay.

[@joydivider42]

Yes and Im about to follow him in 2018. I cant afford the rent and I cant get offered any job unless Ive done it last week. Reasonably well educated I am now treated as if I cant read or write. Thousands to get a degree but no fall back position in the meantime. Jobs asking for my car and business insurance offering a few hours per week. It doesnt add up to a job. we are seriously going to be seeing the ex accountants and the middle class with a homeless and hungry sign

[@poppyclark9789]

Joydivider42 wishing you all the luck in the world :((

[@fionagregory8078]

be a cleaner like I was for 3 years and lived in a rented place.

[@fionagregory8078]

managed to pay for everything and did not get into debt. It is about budgeting.

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

@@fionagregory8078 no Fiona..it's not just about budgeting properly. This epidemic has many causes

[@saraswatkin9226]

Look at the import of cheap labour from abroad.

[@Slarti]

Good on Channel 4 for doing such a sensitive and informative report.

[@lonia.5283]

God Bless all homeless people please 🌷❤️

[@tucosalamanca5194]

Its nothing compared to what's going on in America

[@frankmangan2113]

America is a dump

[@ohmeowzer1]

I hope he found a job God Bless him

[@bran756]

God bless ya mate,thanks for your service,hope things turn out better for you,all the best,retired submariner .

[@5LJ3A2]

Unsustainable system. Something has got to give.

[@defunctt]

Go to East London and see how many foreigners are living in very, very expensive council homes. Puts it into perspective. The government won't even look after its own. If you are foreign and have an overly large family that we cannot and the people at large do not want to support, no problem - you can have a council house. Single male who was born here? Forget it.

[@grai]

they need to start saying no free natal care for the first 10 years of living here and no council housing queue jumping - if you have 10 children then tough luck you have to wait in line for decades like everyone else They would all go home the next day

[@mjag2834]

No way Council properties are full of cunts and drug dealers. The Estates are all cunted up in prep for overinflated bubble headed cunts.

[@comicbookgirl_2072]

You’re comment is wrong and disgusting!!!!!

[@merlinsdog4530]

True story

[@Bogna1]

"Large family" - Regardless. Doesn't matter foreign or not. The government should stop paying money to women for having children by multiple partners.

[@Dana-ml7sy]

We have always been a slave nation but this pandemic has just shone a spotlight on how close we all are to destitution. Someone once said it was 3 pay checks away but people are just being told they have lost their jobs after being furloughed. If you are rich, have no mortgage or other debts, you will be able to weather the storm but most are not wealthy & will sink. Many people don’t prepare for bad times simply because they only have their living expenses in the kitty & any surplus will go on a treat, for themselves or family. Years of austerity have not helped the situation. More help is needed so people are not homeless & don’t spiral down.

[@tinahale1471]

Wonder where he is now ??

[@tinahale1471]

Love his decision to go to the woods Congratulations

[@imreallydead.23]

Feel sorry for joe he had responsibilities and wasn’t able to fulfill them through no fault of his own hope he gets back on his feet as soon as all this corona is over

[@officialdeanporter]

you really need to give more of your time for issues such as homelessness and make policians account for their woeful behaviour in any and all interviews you do with them.

[@wleon4068]

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, DEAN!! THOSE REPTILES SHOULD BE MADE ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THEY MAKE HOMELESS, OR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THEY KILL THROUGH SANCTIONS!!!

[@LissaSun]

It's much worse here in the US.

[@debbie7991]

Have you been to the UK?

[@paulwild4330]

What has happened in my country. Would somebody fix it and make life a bit nicer please.

[@tucosalamanca5194]

Are you joking... this is nothing! First World homelessness

[@maykolee]

Mean while in the nhs we are so short in porters, cleaners and nursing assistants

[@emit9462]

"The further a society drifts away from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." - George Orwell

[@davidprosser457]

It’s cold and miserable there anyway

[@lbl9497]

You can't count the number of homeless people because they are walking around not sleeping also sleeping in abandoned buildings or on someone's couch for the night

[@Vanadeo]

Not even high paid skills get you far in this country. Show up with a rag on your head on the shore and 6 kids trailing behind though and its a different story. Life of luxury for those who can't speak english and especially who don't ever want to work or get skills. totally fucked up mess this country.

[@cookie522]

Can be very dangerous living in a tent. Lots crazy people about burning tents down..and the element s winter time is unforgiving.

[@chloegilbert647]

If they can't take care of their own homeless, why do they let in refugees or migrants???

[@Stinschen]

The EU ;)

[@morrisrider7730]

Damn Straight 👏👍

[@XXODD1982]

because the refugee system is a business

[@ohmygosh4761]

I was wondering when this stupid question would pop up😂

[@ohmygosh4761]

@Maya Yeel Bless your heart. Finally someone that knows what they're talking about

[@blancabulgrin5560]

My god ALMIGHTY just as he said critical days will be here 2nd Timothy 1-5 hugs to all in dire need it's so sad . It's all over the world.

[@mckav2358]

Very depressing :(( I hope things very quickly change for these important people. Theyre brothers sisters friends

[@jackryan3487]

I bet his wife got the house 🏠

[@yupengyu8288]

Government still receives a lot of refugees and offers them houses, how come if there are no houses for british citizens? It does not make sense.

[@MaterLacrymarum]

Because you're wrong. Refugees don't automatically get houses.

[@oliverkalamata2753]

Never trust your Government Never disarm

[@tucosalamanca5194]

This is England we fight with our fists like real men

[@garybsg]

I REALLY RESPECT A MAN WHO SLEEPS IN THE WOODS THAN TAKE WELFARE

[@GeedanUK]

Are you implying you don't respect people purely bechase they are claiming welfare?

[@nicolassosolic3655]

+garybsg Yes indeed,he's got guts! Hi from France :)

[@Busybee65]

+garybsg 99% of people living in the united kingdom, get some sort of benefits, Child benefit, and Housing benefit are the biggest.

[@MegaPianogenius]

anton no pension benefits is the largest

[@Dan4x2282]

The idea of benefits and social welfare is to help people avoid living on the street or in this case the woods..

[@brucelomax3375]

Africa has been on foreign aid longer than most Canadian/British taxpayers have been born. This while exsoldiers and the mentally handicapped live, sleep and die on the bitterly cold streets of Canada. Our Canadian politicians and bureaucrats on their way to work, stepped over the homeless. Let that sink in. Why? Enquiring minds need to know.

[@chrisgitaka2553]

And the british goverment brutally exploited africa and profited from it for over 500 years. From slavery to colonialism. I wonder how you would balance those books.

[@brucelomax3375]

@@chrisgitaka2553,and yet, since their independence the citizens of the former colonies, if given a chance choose to emigrate to live with their former colonists. Go figure.

[@chrisgitaka2553]

Nothing too difficult to figure out there, the invasion of their countries by western powers and the consequent destruction of their societies and indigenous economies which had served them well for thousands of years is the main reason. Look, just accept that a grave injustice has been committed against those people and some sort of discussion about reparation is well due.

[@talkingcloud740]

These people are left without support just when they need it by the government who refuse to meet the rents, as if it is up to them what the landlords charge! Even social landlords detract from the legal minimum needed to live on for service charges. It is this governemnt which is causing a plaque of dangerously impoverished people and their children. This will not end well and no one is safe from the backlash to come. There is no excuse for rolling out the austerity as it makes no sense to include in that figure ALL MONEY HELD IN ALL OF OUR ACCOUNTS CURRENT AND SAVINGS AS A SUM OF MONEY WE ALL OWE AS A MATTER OF ACCOUNTING. THIS IS A TRAGEDY BROUGHT ABOUT BY FOLKS WHO CANNOT BE BOTHERED TO EVEN FIND OUT WHAT IS THE DEFICIT? HOW IS IT CALCULATED? INSANE CAPITULATION AND SURRENDER OF OUR COUNTRY TO BANKS the deficit is the sum total of all of the pounds in existence in our accounts that has not been taxed! Ask any treasury official such as Greenspan. When money is created it simply spent to the treasury in to existence with a keyboard on the say so of privileged elite. Not that there is a free lunch but there is only inflation to worry about and not how much tax is received, that is simply of no account at all. The governemnt never ever first look to see how much tax they have collected before they pay the queens salary or any other civil servants salary. army, police, NHS staff, benefits of all kinds at all levels including corporate. The system is broken elitist and crooked.

[@hellowrld6120]

that is nothing compared to Vancouver Canada

[@ThePoacherz]

Adam Miskiewicz Come to the USA!

[@helenaville5939]

I spent a year in college in the UK and it is the worst place I have seen for homeless people. The division between the poor and rich people is scary. Even many disabled people are homeless. So happy leaving to come home.

[@MegaPianogenius]

helenaville and if you are from america open your eyes no doubt you live in an affluent area but there are millions of homeless in the shitty states in the uk they#re mostly druggies or alcoholics we have a great system for genuine ones

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

Why isn't the royal family doing anything about this??? Richest family in the world living in the lap of luxury! How infuriating

[@2Sugarbears]

Rents to high. Housing to little. Wages not enough = homelessness. Not a hard equation. Drugs and alcohol...well if you can never save enough to get into a place nor to support it...what would you do? Judgement NOT helpful.

[@gmackinnon648]

'You will own nothing and be happy ' wef.

[@dianestahr4421]

Why are they housing illegal immigrants in hotels when our own are left to rot . Something very wrong with the picture.

[@AtlasofInfo]

Government are here for Armed Forces, Police and courts of law. They are sometimes needed for other things but only temporarily. You all want the government in every part of your life, minimum wage, masses of employment law, benefits, national insurance for an almost pointless retirement sum and poor health care where they give you paracetamol and send you on your way! Careful what you wish for!

[@MrsQurashi1960]

Need to build shelter home's for the needy government can do or duving what charte workers this is good for people's

[@outdoormuckers4033]

does anyone know where Ian is nowadays?

[@JamesPCroad]

Sigh, having been homeless once and being labelled 'not vulnerable enough' for help, I really get angry at homeless people's plight when the tax payer is putting up thousands of illegal immigrants (mostly young men) posing as asylum seekers. It makes you wonder whether it's part of a plan and consistent governments have been doing it on purpose...

[@markjenkins3609]

And in 2023 they all been forgotten and left on the streets. But people entering the country illegally are put up in 4 star hotels and fed all for free, and given generous benefits. In some areas Councils even provide free cigarettes.

[@deniseg-hill1730]

I presume the first chaps his ex wife kept the house.

[@alhassanmahmood9134]

I don't know why labour is sitting in opposition for 13 years that is a generation of suffering

[@MaterLacrymarum]

Brexit. Brexiteers were deluded and had their heads buried in the sand. They wanted immigrants out and didn't care about anything else. So they voted the Tories in to get Brexit, and here we are. Poverty, record number of immigrants, and things getting worse.

[@breadring]

And all because they didn't buy a rubber dingy.

[@saraswatkin9226]

Whoever you are rich or poor always remember there, but for the grace of God go I. Life can change from millionare to rages overnight.

[@ip3043]

Surely Ian could've rented out his sitting room or something, having less room in your flat is preferable to homelessness.

[@robertday6870]

Has I found out. Any one is fare game for the street. It don't matter if you son of a lord or a dustman...The pavement is open 24/7 for business.

[@robertsugarland]

The problem is that if the British Government deeply intervenes with sheltering all homeless, then they will increase taxes on middle class substantially. So it`s a no-end street !

[@Timbergal]

How can a lawyer not find a job

[@Bogna1]

He is nearly 50, without experience. Must be harder to start this kinda career at this age.

[@acajudi100]

Roommates?

[@splinterbyrd]

With his degree and military background, Ian could easily do a postgrad in schoolteaching and would then be snapped up by Education. I read somewhere that the ratio of law graduates to jobs actually I'm the legal profession is 28:1

[@whatshisname3304]

@Harry Smith are you in a legal profession?

[@Bogna1]

Even call center as a temporary solution till he would't find proper job.

[@Ali01007]

His girlfriend is typical; throw the man out when he is not bring money. Selfish woman.

[@misscoutts6193]

She was pregnant so will go on benefits as single mother.

[@dannysze8183]

he should live in a second hand van that cost around 10,000 pounds then pay it off in 5 years time. teach english online or do delivery service. if he got a PhD in math, he should teach math.

[@Bogna1]

In the meantime he should find a job in call center easily. I know, it's not nice job, but just as a temporary solution.

[@HiItsOKK]

Is it better now?

[@MaterLacrymarum]

No. Worse.

[@HiItsOKK]

@@MaterLacrymarum how is that possible

[@MaterLacrymarum]

@@HiItsOKK Increasing numbers of homeless. The UK is in recession. There's a well documented housing crisis. Mortgage rates are increasing, and inflation is at 10%. To name a few, Having a useless government hasn't helped.

[@fiona3821]

The wages need to go up. Of course people like to work. They need to encourage working not if you work and can't afford rent or homeless in help.

[@leemorgan8478]

Wait until the winter comes is snowberry will soon be gone & he will be grateful for a hostel room .

[@maddiepound6792]

Surprised about the amount of homeless in Crawley. Mind u it was going down hill anyway. I moved out of there 4 years ago.

[@fusiliers1]

He says £950 a month for a flat in Guildford Jesus its cheaper to live in Croydon south London

[@Bogna1]

Croydon is a slum.

[@annekemahabeer5130]

And Royal Family sleeps warm and with a full stomach every night?

[@jerrysmith3414]

15 years in the navy ..he should use his benifits buy a home let va help u get a job or if he wants to retire ..go to va home

[@Bogna1]

Seems like his ex wife took over the house that's why he became homeless. I would never to trust anyone that much (even married one) to share everything with.

[@traveltorussia6560]

Все понятно...

[@notrowland3944]

But of your non English the government falls over backwards to help

[@dennisbeers]

not Rowland The same is going on in the U.S.!

[@kishaeli3773]

not Rowland yh right🤣😂😂😂

[@Yobachi2007]

"The same is going on in the U.S.!" That's a lie.

[@AtlasofInfo]

Submariners get paid a lot! If I can be a surface fleet AB and afford a house, then go back to civvy street and get a job then this guy has probably made the wrong choices in life. There are millions of jobs out there but leftists brought about the minimum wage and overwhelming employment law which destroyed this country! Everything was in check and there was a gradual rise in wealth among everyone until we started using the government for every part of our lives! The greatest changes in society (for the better) came when government left their people alone for the most part in the 19th century.

[@sarojakrieg4780]

This bankers and rich people make money out of refugees business. It us very good business.Media and the turkey paid very well by rich people.

[@swineheartdoppleganger5516]

3 part time jobs pays 600 a month that must be 1 part time job then,..

[@Osman-mj5rf]

Let the so called middle class feel the cold 😂

[@geraldroypanter8890]

when is treaser may going to get the kids of the street she said by 2020 I don't believe she is bothered the brexit comes first

[@toadinthehole8085]

Cardboard city gone replaced with the Roma gypsy

[@tedhuges8275]

If you go down to the woods. Today. You will find another nut job Had money lived. above there means. So clever these as beens. Only yourself to. Blame .

[@trollmeistergeneral3467]

The Workhouse for you my friend. That is where the likes of you belong. Oh I know that technically the Workhouse does not exist, but I would like to see the Workhouse system introduced to British society.

[@ohmygosh4761]

I thought all their issues were because of immigrants 😂 Can't use that this time huh?

[@johnrandle8365]

Yes but you are making programmes on people who are vulnerable while you are making 200,000 salary you are not helping just taking advantage of people's misery?

[@shirleyowens5702]

To those who will listen, people are turning away from God, without him your ability to maintain is becoming impossible, Did you hear his question? how did i get here? turn to God and do his will (mark 16:16

[@beadlejuice2100]

Ian is homeless by choice.

[@fionagregory8078]

live somewhere cheaper.

[@mosesyang4222]

Just people who didnt know how to manage their money

[@Bogna1]

It might be true but we don't know the whole story. However I've known some people always broken despite of proper jobs etc. or who cannot keep one job for long time and keep spending every penny of every month. Including my "IT ex".