A government minister has contradicted Suella Braverman’s description of rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”, saying she “wouldn’t necessarily use that language”.
Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho appeared to be at odds with the home secretary, who has faced a backlash for describing rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice” as she outlined her desire to restrict the use of tents by homeless people in UK towns and cities.
Ms Braverman said many of those who sleep in tents are “from abroad” and insisted there was no need given the alternatives and support available to rough sleepers.
Asked by Kay Burley whether she agreed with the home secretary’s comments, Ms Coutinho revealed she used to work with people who were homeless and that she “wouldn’t necessarily use the language of ‘lifestyle choice’ as the reasons for homelessness are “complex and varied”.
Ms Coutinho said Ms Braverman had in her comments “distinguished that a lot of people who end up in that position are struggling, for example, with addiction issues”.
“And she wasn’t talking about those people,” she added.
“I think the most important thing is that for all of those people, what we want is for them to have a warm home, a roof over their heads.
“Because ultimately sleeping on the streets, becoming entrenched in that lifestyle, that’s no life for anyone.”
Pressed on whether Ms Braverman “misspoke”, the energy secretary replied: “So I think she was talking about different things.
“She acknowledged that there are people who just, you know, they need our compassion. They’re struggling with things like addiction. They need help and support. And that’s exactly what the plans are, by the way.
“But she also talked about people, I think, who are nuisance begging who are working in organised groups.
“And I think it’s right that we make sure that we’re getting people off the streets into safe accommodation and also making sure that our neighbourhoods feel safe for people as well.”