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| Ellie Goulding condemns London councils' treatment of homeless people | Ellie Goulding condemns London councils' treatment of homeless people |
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| Singer Ellie Goulding has condemned the way that London councils treat homeless people as disgraceful and sickening, and said she would like to meet with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss the matter. | |
| Goulding, who recently tweeted her frustration at policies by Hackney council to cut down on people sleeping rough, said that the growing number of homeless people in London was “shameful”. | Goulding, who recently tweeted her frustration at policies by Hackney council to cut down on people sleeping rough, said that the growing number of homeless people in London was “shameful”. |
| Speaking to the Guardian, she said: “There is this culture where we stigmatise homeless people, continually –I can’t believe it’s still happening. | Speaking to the Guardian, she said: “There is this culture where we stigmatise homeless people, continually –I can’t believe it’s still happening. |
| “First it was Hackney council and now Chelsea and Kensington council have told people not to give food or money to homeless people because they say the money will fund something it shouldn’t, but actually that’s just the act of kindness, the communication that could save someone’s life. It’s a ridiculous campaign and I completely condemn it.” | “First it was Hackney council and now Chelsea and Kensington council have told people not to give food or money to homeless people because they say the money will fund something it shouldn’t, but actually that’s just the act of kindness, the communication that could save someone’s life. It’s a ridiculous campaign and I completely condemn it.” |
| In June, Hackney council amended an order that threatened rough sleepers with court action and fines of up to £1,000 after a campaign from homelessness charities which was backed by Goulding. | In June, Hackney council amended an order that threatened rough sleepers with court action and fines of up to £1,000 after a campaign from homelessness charities which was backed by Goulding. |
| The singer said the fact that some London councils were considering criminalising homelessness and introducing fines was further evidence of how local government had “lost touch with real people”. | The singer said the fact that some London councils were considering criminalising homelessness and introducing fines was further evidence of how local government had “lost touch with real people”. |
| Related: Defensive architecture: keeping poverty unseen and deflecting our guilt | Related: Defensive architecture: keeping poverty unseen and deflecting our guilt |
| “We see the spikes that have been put up, treating homeless people like they’re pigeons – it’s disgraceful,” said Goulding after performing at an event for female empowerment charity Chime for Change. “I think it is the lowest thing these councils can do. It is an example of the lack of compassion. There are 7,000 people on the streets every year in London and for a city that’s thriving, that’s shameful.” | “We see the spikes that have been put up, treating homeless people like they’re pigeons – it’s disgraceful,” said Goulding after performing at an event for female empowerment charity Chime for Change. “I think it is the lowest thing these councils can do. It is an example of the lack of compassion. There are 7,000 people on the streets every year in London and for a city that’s thriving, that’s shameful.” |
| She added: “When I walk down the street near where I live in Paddington, I feel threatened sometimes – men shout at me, say things at me – but I’ve got somewhere safe to go back to and not every woman has that. It sickens me.” | She added: “When I walk down the street near where I live in Paddington, I feel threatened sometimes – men shout at me, say things at me – but I’ve got somewhere safe to go back to and not every woman has that. It sickens me.” |
| During the general election, the 28-year-old revealed herself to be a Labour supporter after Ed Miliband was the only politician who showed up at one of her charity concerts, and said she was excited by Jeremy Corbyn. | During the general election, the 28-year-old revealed herself to be a Labour supporter after Ed Miliband was the only politician who showed up at one of her charity concerts, and said she was excited by Jeremy Corbyn. |
| “He is bringing some compassion back into politics, “ said Goulding. “I feel good about that. I’d really like to meet him and talk things over with him. But I think things look good.” | “He is bringing some compassion back into politics, “ said Goulding. “I feel good about that. I’d really like to meet him and talk things over with him. But I think things look good.” |
| Corbyn’s vegetarian credentials also helped convince her he was worthy of her support. | Corbyn’s vegetarian credentials also helped convince her he was worthy of her support. |
| She said: “As soon as I found out he didn’t eat meat it made me interested in him because I think it automatically shows an awareness of the world and it’s a type of compassion that I can relate to. It’s a sign that someone has escaped that ignorance of where their food comes from, and that’s really important.” | She said: “As soon as I found out he didn’t eat meat it made me interested in him because I think it automatically shows an awareness of the world and it’s a type of compassion that I can relate to. It’s a sign that someone has escaped that ignorance of where their food comes from, and that’s really important.” |