Tories ban BBC from taking in the homeless at Christmas

Conservative-run Hammersmith and Fulham council has been condemned after refusing to allow Crisis to use one of the corporation's buildings near TV Centre in Wood Lane.

The charity says that despite appeals to Tory party chairman Caroline Spelman and former leader Iain Duncan Smith, borough leaders refused to meet to discuss the proposal.

It is the second year that Hammersmith and Fulham has refused to allow the BBC premises to be used to provide food, warmth and companionship to single homeless people over Christmas.

The council, which switched from Labour to Tory control in May last year, says it blocked the plans because it has already given permission for another Crisis shelter to open in Shepherd's Bush.

The charity, which plans to open eight such centres in the capital as part of its Crisis Open Christmas scheme starting on Sunday, said it was "very keen" to take up the BBC's offer after struggling to find premises. BBC staff are understood to have supported the shelter idea and many were set to help out at it.

Up to 2,000 people are expected to use the eight Crisis centres over the week they are in place. One third tend to be rough sleepers and the remainder the "hidden homeless" who live in hostels or squats or sleep on friends' floors.

Duncan Shrubsole, the charity's director of policy and research, said: "The council's decision to block use of an excellent building donated by the BBC has been deeply disappointing.

"We have delivered Crisis Open Christmas for 36 years, providing support to thousands of homeless and vulnerably housed people.

"Of particular concern is that when we wrote to the council leaders they were not even prepared to meet us to discuss their concerns.

"From what other organisations tell us, this appears to be characteristic of their approach to charities working with poor and vulnerable people in Hammersmith and Fulham."

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush, said: "The Tories claim to care about tackling homelessness but in reality they are turning homeless people away at Christmas."

He said the approach of the "Scrooge" councillors contrasted with the "media stunt" of Conservative frontbencher Grant Schapps, who plans to sleep rough on Christmas Eve.

Mr Slaughter said: "To be told by a local authority, which has a duty towards the homeless, that 'We don't want you here because you're drunks,' makes it feel like we've gone back 30 years. But if you're trying to gentrify the area then the last thing you want is a homeless shelter. I just find it unbelievably callous."

The council denied it was pursuing an agenda against homeless people, pointing out that it was making one of its day centres available to Crisis. It called on other boroughs to assist, saying it was unfair Hammersmith and Fulham was criticised for not hosting two centres.

Greg Smith, the council's cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: "Homelessness is a complex and long-term problem that deserves long-term solutions, not just a sticking plaster at Christmas.

"While we are happy to do our bit at Christmas, with an enhanced Crisis centre at the Broadway, it would be unfair to ask residents in Shepherd's Bush to have two homeless centres within half a mile of each other, especially as Crisis is only looking for eight sites across the whole of London.

"The Shepherd's Bush community supports homeless people more than most areas of London - 365 days a year, not just at Christmas."

The BBC refused to comment.