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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know who or what to believe any more!

107 replies

Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 20:14

I had the radio on this morning, and there was a sad piece about the number of children in the county who would wake up homeless.

Then later I discovered that these stats were misleading, that the 'homeless' children were included in cases of overcrowding, so children sharing a room for instance.

I can't read the guardian any more, the BBC is biased from threads I've read here.

I don't know whether the kids company thing has made me feel as if I just can't trust any stats, any piece of information , any claims by charity. I've cancelled all my direct debits as I just feel like everyone is lying to me and I'm sick of it!

AIBU, and cynical/jaded?

OP posts:
Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 22:43

But I don't understand where this 100k figure is coming from! Anyway I feel we are probably going round in circles a bit!

OP posts:
Inmybackyard · 02/11/2015 22:47

It's from the government statistics on the number of children in temporary accommodation. As people have tried to explain to you and as it says on Shelter's website.

almondpudding · 02/11/2015 22:48

I have had a look at the Shelter website, at the Christmas campaign. It makes it very clear that it means temporary accommodation not rough sleepers.

It is misleading to suggest Shelter are misleading people that it is children with no roof over their head.

SouthWestmom · 02/11/2015 22:49

Thank you Leaving.
I guess I'm just stunned that we can say no to giving someone a hand.

annandale · 02/11/2015 22:49

I agree op it is hard to feel anyone is being dispassionate about any issue and we all end up feeling manipulated.

I don't think shelter meant 500 children sharing rooms in council accommodation because the numbers sound wrong but it is disingenuous of them not to clarify and be exact in their language. I expect charities to be open and as honest as possible and that absolutely includes giving us more nuance in what they say.

I don't expect much from British newspapers tbh and that's quite sad as well.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 22:51

But I didn't look at shelters Christmas campaign but at how they defined homelessness and that is woolly indeed.

I feel the same annandale

OP posts:
Inmybackyard · 02/11/2015 22:54

That's a bit unfair. You're not looking at the relevant information that could actually have helped you answer your question. Hmm

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 22:56

Backyard, my local radio says 'five hundred children will wake up homeless in (my county) in Christmas morning'; I am told by a friend that 'homeless' according to shelter is a rather loose term and I go to shelters website to see what their definition is and there isn't really a definition.

I went direct to shelters website - to be honest I wasn't aware of a specific Christmas campaign so I think it's a bit unfair to say I'm being a bit unfair!

OP posts:
vaticancameos · 02/11/2015 22:57

In case it helps clear it up, this is us right now. Me one adult with two children. Homeless. Waiting for bailiffs to turn up so the council will put us in emergency accommodation because we can't get another private rental. The middle is a bed of towels and pillows. Not in a cardboard box under a bridge perhaps but this is what not being viable to stay in current accommodation homeless means for us.

To not know who or what to believe any more!
Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 22:58

I hope things are sorted out soon for you vatican

OP posts:
eleven59 · 02/11/2015 22:59

I cannot understand, why in this age, we live in a society where people live in squalor, relying on charity, whilst others live in luxury. The whole system needs to change. Some countries (Sweden, Finland) seem to manage it.

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 23:00

A much bigger population than both Sweden and Finland, I guess, by several million.

OP posts:
vaticancameos · 02/11/2015 23:02

Thank you Leaving. Housing is in complete crisis. I work full time but don't earn enough as a single parent for agencies to put me forward for properties.

eleven59 · 02/11/2015 23:03

Or a more equal society with a social security system and higher taxes?

ChilliAndBint · 02/11/2015 23:03

I don't believe stats.
Ot grieves me to have to contribute to food banks when I am on a very low income.
Only yesterday witnessed a fight at loca

Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 23:03

Do you need blankets or anything?

OP posts:
Original poster
Leavingsosoon · 02/11/2015 23:04

It won't be a popular view but I would be upset at higher taxes. I earn nothing after childcare as it is!

OP posts:
Inmybackyard · 02/11/2015 23:05

eleven Or because people insist on not believing the evidence and think the UK is doing ok??

eleven59 · 02/11/2015 23:16

Maybe so backyard. The UK is not doing ok though. Its horrendous what goes on. There's another thread about food waste and small producers being forced out of business by big supermarkets.

Higher taxes are needed for a decent healthcare system, decent schools and a decent standard of living for all. I'm not suggesting those taxes hit lower income families, but rich people. But, it won't happen and with a housing crisis, a healthcare system on its knees, and a shit education system I fear things have gone too far, its simply too late.

Expect the gap between rich and poor to get wider.

SlipperyJack · 02/11/2015 23:18

Scott, I wish there was a Like button for your posts.

vaticancameos · 02/11/2015 23:18

Actually, thinking about it, I have spoken to Shelter once. But there's nothing they could do to help us at all. And I received one of their press releases a week or so ago to which I emailed back pointing out the information/stats relating to where I live was actually inaccurate and didn't reflect what was actually going on. I've probably outed myself with flags and bells now so I will name change.

Leaving, thanks for the offer. I think we are ok and it won't be for much longer. I just keep thinking things can always be worse and have sold the idea to the children that it's one big adventure.

squidzin · 02/11/2015 23:19

Leavingsosoon
I have rtft and it looks to me you are simply refusing to accept that "homeless" does not mean "living on the street".
The definition of homeless is given on Shelter's website and it is the same definition used by law and is the same definition used by media. It's not "wooly"
What's your fucking problem.

Viviennemary · 02/11/2015 23:25

I think we pay quite enough tax in this country. The problem is the population which is growing at a very rapid rate so everything is going to get a lot worse before long.

eleven59 · 02/11/2015 23:27

"Do you need blankets or anything?"

Seriously? What is needed is a fair and equal society where we all have the means to live. This needs to be funded.

caroldecker · 03/11/2015 00:47

The shelter numbers are not just temporary accommodation. It is linked to a govt website of data tables showing council number of homeless applications and acceptances. link
Nowhere on those tables can i find a number of children, let alone 100,000.

I do not necessarily dispute the shelter figures (although, like all campaigning groups, I would expect them to emphasise their core demographic.) I would, however, like to see where the numbers come from.

Anyone who pretends that the general public understands the legal definition of homeless rather than than the rough sleeping version is being stupid or disingenuous.