Helping the homeless
Sir: The number of rough sleepers in one of the richest countries on the planet is surely a finger of accusation pointed at our generation (‘Wake-up call’, 31 August). Adam Holloway is correct when he says that giving cash directly to those living on the streets often compounds rather than alleviates the problem.
Smarter ways should be found to direct compassion effectively, and a new charity, Nextmeal, is attempting to do just this. It uses GPS mapping technology to locate the nearest centre helping the homeless. The database currently details almost 400 such centres across the country, most of which are charities that can dovetail with state services. Thousands of cards have been printed with a link to the website, www.nextmeal.co.uk. Giving the card rather than cash directs people, via the website, to the closest place of safety offering food, support and help. Cards are being distributed through businesses, faith groups, transport hubs and hospitals. We should all carry a few on our person.
There are no simple answers, but there are ways in which smart technology such as this might enable our generally caring population to help. My Labour colleague Catherine West and I will be hosting a meeting at the House of Commons on 17 October to introduce Nextmeal to decision-makers and supporters across parliament. We hope to attract significant support for this valuable initiative.
Andrew Mitchell
MP for Royal Sutton Coldfield
Brexit logic?
Sir: I was amused to see Rodric Braithwaite echo the ‘percentage claim’ that forms a major plank of Remainer narrative (‘Failure of the grand design’, 31 August) when he contrasts the ‘two thirds’ of the electorate who in 1975 supported EEC membership against the ‘small margin’ by which people voted to leave the EU in 2016.
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