Ways to take action – October campaigning update
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“True equality is the possibility given to all to realise their aspirations and to have the rights inherent in their dignity guaranteed by a system of common and shared values.”
Pope Leo XIV
We call for meaningful, lasting change that enables people to transform their lives with dignity.
We publish regular updates like this to raise awareness, keep you informed about campaigns and activities, and to let you know how you might be able to get involved.
Hopefully you’ll be inspired to actively participate and make a difference in your community.
We’d love to hear from you if you do, so get in touch and let us know what you’ve been up to…
Write to your MP to call for change
This autumn, around World Homeless Day, we are working to raise awareness of the changes needed to help ensure everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.
Every day, we meet and support people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and we know that unaffordable rents and inadequate levels of housing benefits are key drivers of homelessness for many people.
Ahead of the Autumn Budget at the end of this month, we’re calling for Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates which set levels of housing benefit support to be unfrozen and uplifted in line with local rents, which have risen a huge amount in recent years.
This leaves too many people unable to cover the shortfall between the amount of support received and their rent payments, pulling people into debt and homelessness.
It also prevents people from being able to move forward out of homelessness and rough sleeping as finding an affordable home to rent becomes more and more difficult.
We’ve recently been supporting Jack (name changed) who became homeless after being evicted from his private rented tenancy and has spent the last eight months rough sleeping. He has worked with our day centre staff to explore numerous potential options for housing, including searching for private rented accommodation, with a referral to access a deposit and first month’s rent.
However, he has found it impossible to find private rented housing that is affordable for him with LHA rates being frozen and well below market rents. Despite engaging with support and spending a great deal of time searching for a home, Jack is forced to continue to sleep rough.
This policy is also affecting many children and families, and we recently shared how school leaders are reporting increasing levels of homelessness among families, with the high cost of private rents being described as a driving factor.
We don’t believe it has to be this way, and change is possible. We’re engaging with local MPs to ask for their support, but we need your help too.
With homelessness high on the agenda for the government, we have an opportunity to make the most of this moment and ensure that housing affordability is part of the solution.
Please join us in calling on the government to unfreeze LHA rates and uplift them in line with local rents by writing to your MP.
Take a look at our guide to contacting your MP which includes a template letter to help you get started.
Upholding the dignity of migrants and refugees
Last month, the Church marked the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Pope Leo XIV’s message reminded us that behind every statistic is a person with their own story, fears and dreams.
Reflecting on the experiences of people forced to flee their homes, Pope Leo urged us to recognise the dignity of every person and to ensure that those seeking safety are welcomed, protected and supported.
As the Immigration and Asylum Bill continues through Parliament, being debated in the committee stage throughout October, we continue to call for policymaking that upholds human dignity and enables migrants and refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and security.
As Pope Leo reminded us, “an urgent change of perspective is needed: the focus of the debate must shift from the mere management of migration to the full and immediate protection of human rights. This principle should guide discussion and policy around migration, ensuring that the rights and dignity of every person remain central.”
Alongside advocating for changes to systems and policies, we accompany migrants, refugees and those seeking asylum in a range of ways through our services. Through this work, we see the challenges people face, including poverty and homelessness, as well how they can thrive when given the opportunity to rebuild their lives and participate in society.
Read more about the changes we call for here.
Speaking up for fair access to energy support
As the colder months approach, we have continued our work to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people who do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier, including those whose energy is supplied through a sub-meter.
Through our energy advice service, we’ve been working with people who are unable to access support schemes such as the Warm Home Discount despite facing financial hardship and rising energy costs. Their experiences have highlighted a significant gap in the current system, leaving some of those most in need excluded from vital support.
Over recent months, we’ve been engaging with MPs and sharing evidence from people affected to demonstrate the impact of this exclusion from support. We have been advocating for a fairer system that ensures everyone can access the help they need to keep their homes warm, regardless of how their energy is supplied.
We’re pleased that several MPs have raised these concerns and advocated for changes to the Warm Home Discount scheme to ensure that those without a direct supplier relationship are not excluded from accessing support. We have also welcomed the opportunity to follow up with the Minister for Energy Consumers.
While we’ve not yet seen the policy changes needed, we have ensured that the issue and the experiences of those we support are being heard by decision makers in the government.
We continue to engage with policymakers, advocate on behalf of those affected, and press for energy support schemes that reach those who need them most.
“Thank you for the important work that Caritas Salford does to support vulnerable households. The government values the insight provided by organisations such as yours.”
Minister for Energy Consumers
If you would like advice about your energy bills this winter, get in touch with our energy advice team.
Read more about our campaigning and the changes we call for here.
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