Job hopes dive for London’s homeless

Unemployment among homeless people in London is 15 times higher
than it was 20 years ago, research has found.

Less than 5 per cent of the capital’s homeless people work,
compared with 83 per cent in 1986, the survey by charity St Mungo’s
reveals.

Two-thirds of the 100 homeless people surveyed said agencies and
employers were unwilling to give them a chance. Half said they
needed help and advice but there was no one to help them.

Four in five said they did not have enough money to carry them
until their first salary and three in five said they could not find
a job that would cover rent and bills.

The high unemployment figures come despite homeless people
saying their ideal jobs would be in building, leisure and IT, all
of which are suffering a labour shortage.

• Hard Work for Homeless People from www.mungos.org/