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Councils consider ban on giving food to homeless
25.10.07
Giving food to homeless people on London's streets could become illegal.
A proposal to ban soup runs from designated areas and fine anyone breaking the law is being considered by London Councils, which represents the capital's 33 local authorities.
The organisation has launched a consultation on whether to include the ban in its London Local Authorities Bill.
Organisers of some of London's 25 soup runs say homeless people will suffer.
Alison Gelder, chief executive of the Soup Run Forum, said: "The people who would be worst affected are those who have no recourse to public funds. They are some of the most unpopular groups in society, such as failed asylum seekers or migrant workers who can't get work.
"They are unpopular but that doesn't mean they should be starving."
She added: "Instead of giving money to beggars I usually buy them a sandwich or apple - in the future will I be breaking the law?"
A spokesman for The London Run which provides food for about 70 homeless people in Lincoln's Inn Fields every Tuesday, said: "The London Run has been providing aid to homeless people for over 20 years. We know that many people rely on us and other similar soup runs."
Angela Harvey, Westminster council's cabinet member for housing, said: "Soup runs keep people on the streets. The Bill would address places where there are real issues with people causing a tremendous nuisance."
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