Europe 1 with AFP 14:07 p.m., November 05, 2023, modified at 14:07 p.m., November 05, 2023

A "lifestyle" phenomenon: Despite outrage in the United Kingdom over the shocking remarks, the British government on Sunday defended its plan to attack homeless people sleeping in tents on the streets. The country, faced with high inflation, is seeing a rapid increase in the number of homeless people on its territory.

The British government on Sunday defended its plan to crack down on homeless people sleeping in tents on the streets after sparking outrage by calling the phenomenon a "way of life". Soaring prices for more than a year in the UK have led to an increase in poverty and homelessness, especially as the country faces a severe housing crisis.

"It's the government's responsibility to be able to say, when the people concerned might be in a safer place, that we shouldn't allow tent cities to develop," Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden told the BBC. He confirmed that the Conservative government intended to legislate on the matter, as indicated the day before by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Homeless people accused of creating 'nuisance'

"We cannot allow our streets to be invaded by rows of tents occupied by people, many from abroad, who have chosen to sleep on the streets as their way of life," Braverman, who is known for her right-wing and anti-immigration stance, wrote on X.

She assured that there were "possibilities for those who do not want to sleep on the streets" and said she wanted to put an end to the "nuisance caused by those who pitch their tents in the public space and beg aggressively, commit thefts, use drugs, throw rubbish". According to the Financial Times, the bill includes fines for homeless charities if they provide tents.

Housing, a major problem in the United Kingdom

The government had promised to get all homeless people off the streets by the 2024 parliamentary elections, but the situation is deteriorating due to inflation and soaring rents. London Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan accused the government of "lacking compassion" with its plan.

"Living on the streets is not a chosen 'way of life', it is a sign of the government's failure," said the specialist association Shelter. In the latest example of the housing crisis, Edinburgh City Hall on Thursday appealed to the Scottish government for help with the growing number of families in temporary accommodation.