Why am I not surprised reading in local papers that Brent Council’s compensation bill surges to £78K, from 1898 complaints received, mostly paid to homeless families, some with children who were obliged to live in cars while others left in B&B for over six weeks, exceeding legal limit for emergency accommodation, Council officials illegally blaming them for becoming “intentionally homeless.”
There is severe shortage of Council homes in Brent, applicants being advised unofficially not to apply, as there is no prospect of being offered Council homes. Yet Council has offered to take 50 refugee families, offering them instant homes, school places and GP services on arrival, although government request is for 20 families.
While British people are generous and caring, willing to give billions in aid, it is time we should take care of our own, as poverty, poor housing and medical neglect is reaching draconian proportion, even among British Indians who are considered reasonably prosperous community.
Government and not Councils should foot bills for refugees, paid from inexpedient £14 billion inexplicable overseas aid budget government finds difficult to spend, as there are not enough worthy, corruption free recipients, giving away to Tom, Dick and Harry simply to meet artificially created target! Are we living in fools’ paradise, in the kingdom of the blind where politically inebriate one eyed Jacks (politicians) are kings?
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
