FT.com / Comment / Opinion - A Faustian pact that backfired spectacularly

“Labour misunderstood the nature of its mandate,” Mr McKibbin told me. Programmatically, the party offered some radicalism (devolution, a minimum wage, expenditure on health and education). Its responses, however, were reflexively illiberal and bureaucratic. This month, it was revealed that the UK’s Gini co-efficient, measuring inequality between rich and poor, had reached its highest level on record – after the longest period of Labour government ever. You do not have to be a Labour voter to wonder what, then, has been the point of it all.

FT.com / Comment / Opinion - A Faustian pact that backfired spectacularly

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The Big Chill Festival 2009!!!

The Big Chill Festival 2009 Get your hands on some tickets! All proceeds go to Crisis The Big Chill has returned offering festival-goers four days of absolute pleasure through comedy, art and film. The organisers have kindly donated to Crisis two full weekend tickets that include parking and camping. If you'd like to bid to win one or both of these tickets please Click Here For more details and to have a look at the line-up go to www.bigchill.net     Charity No 1082947

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Thames Reach's email newsletter, issue 15, July 2009

The July issue of e-reach is now available to view online:
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/publications/email-newsletter/issue-15-july-2009/
To unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of this email

***Concern over rise in numbers of rough sleepers***
New statistics released this month show the number of people sleeping rough in London has increased by 15%. Despite the concern over the rise in numbers of rough sleepers the statistics also show that one third of people are only spending a very short time on the street before being helped off the street by outreach workers. http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/concern-over-rise-in-numbers-of-rough-sleepers/

***Homelessness and drugs agency form partnership***
Homelessness agency Thames Reach and drugs agency Blenheim CDP have formed a new partnership to help improve the lives of some of London's most vulnerable and socially excluded people. The two organisations already have a strong track record of providing high quality, integrated services.
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/homelessness-and-drugs-agency-form-partnership-to-battle-social-exclusion/

***Top Mayoral advisor at conference for London's homeless***
The Mayor's Director of Housing, Richard Blakeway, spoke at a conference organised by Thames Reach last week for the homeless and formerly homeless people who use the charity's services. He was among guests on a panel invited to answer questions on homelessness issues posed by Thames Reach service users.
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/top-mayoral-adviser-at-conference-for-londons-homeless/

***Tweet, tweet!***
Thames Reach has joined the social networking revolution by setting up a Twitter blog and Facebook causes page. Using these tools enables Thames Reach to get news and information about Thames Reach to a new audience in a quick and easy way. Chief Executive Jeremy Swain has also been tweeting over the past few weeks, as well as setting up a new blog looking at ending homelessness in London. http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/news-and-views/tweet-tweet/

***From banker to beggar?***
It seems that for the journalists contacting Thames Reach there is only one story in town - a poignant credit-crunch tale involving a homeowner (ideally a banker) who has lost their job, their home and their car, and has resorted to living in a cardboard box or shop doorway.
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk//story.aspx?storycode=6504724

***Skydiving in aid of Thames Reach***
Only for the brave! Thames Reach supporters now have the opportunity to skydive in aid of Thames Reach. Marvel at the effects of gravity as you freefall earthwards, securely connected to a highly qualified instructor who safely controls your descent. This is a challenge you will not forget in a hurry and ideal for those who are after a serious adrenaline rush!
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/help-us/challenge-events/skydiving/

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Please help us continue to support homeless and vulnerable people by donating to Thames Reach
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/help-us/donate-money/

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122-126 Backchurch Lane London E1 1ND, T: 020 7702 4260

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Soup and sympathy: Mark Gould talks to Charles Fraser, chief executive of St Mungo's | Society | The Guardian

"When I started," Fraser recalls, "most residents had personal histories - jobs, homes. Something had happened and they ended up on the streets, but in their background they had a reference point, so it was easier to pick them up and help them back into normal life. Now we have more and more people who have never had jobs, never had relationships, other than those that cause them anguish, and never had housing, so they never had those reference points. [Taking] drugs compounds that volatility."

Soup and sympathy: Mark Gould talks to Charles Fraser, chief executive of St Mungo's | Society | The Guardian