The Big ?

Karen Shook
Disability equality adviser

Services often give up on families too easily and getting services in the first place is a postcode lottery. In any case, families who’ve been evicted are often moved elsewhere only to annoy someone else. One answer may be to introduce a “three strikes and you’re out” policy, so that troublesome families get plenty of warning.

Len Smith
Gypsy activist

I’m afraid I swing both ways on this. On the one hand, I’d hate to see anyone destitute and on the streets. On the other, I don’t think it’s fair on the taxpayer that people can treat the “system” with contempt, and yet demand support from it at the same time. However, the threat of total removal of housing benefit after five years is too swingeing.

Kerry Evans
Parent of two severely autistic sons

Children would be badly affected by such a move and they should not be penalised for their parents’ antisocial behaviour. Assessments of housing benefit seem unfair in general – for example, recently separated lone parents don’t receive interest payments on mortgages for six months.

Eve Rank
Inspired services

Sometimes, people need to face penalties for their behaviour. However, there can be plenty of reasons why people don’t want help, often due to bad experiences or a lack of services in the past, when you needed them. Also, plenty of people with learning difficulties receive Asbos because of their disabilities and I wouldn’t want people to be made homeless as well.