RISHI Sunak today distanced himself from Suella Braverman’s claim that rough sleeping is sometimes a “lifestyle choice”.
Visiting the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk, the PM refused to say whether the Home Secretary’s comment was “offensive”.
Instead he told reporters: “I don’t want anyone to sleep rough on our streets.
“That’s why the Government is investing £2 billion over the next few years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
“But of course there is more to do and we’ll keep going so that nobody has to sleep rough on our streets.”
Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho also moved to distance herself from the remarks.
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She told Times Radio: “Before I came to Parliament I did a lot of work in social justice.
“I actually worked with people who were homeless, and I think the reasons that people get into that position are complex and very varied, so I wouldn’t necessarily use the language of ‘lifestyle choice’.
Ms Braverman ruffled feathers after announcing plans to ban homeless people sleeping in tents on the street.
The ban is set to be established as a civil offence in tomorrow’s King’s Speech.
Charities could be fined for distributing tents if it is deemed have caused a nuisance.
Politicians across the Commons and charities hit out at the move.
Senior Tory MP Natalie Elphicke said: “In all my years of helping people who are homeless, in cities like London and Manchester as well as my own local area in Dover and Deal, at no time, ever, has anyone said the answer lies in the removal of tents.
“The answer lies in building more homes – especially affordable homes – and providing accommodation, including support for those with complex needs.”
But doubling down, the Home Secretary insisted it is part of a wider plan to end rough sleeping.
She said: “We will always support those who are genuinely homeless.”
She then added: “We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice.”
