Singing for street life as Government denies axing funding for homeless in virus crisis

Days after the UK Government denied ending funding to protect England’s homeless from coronavirus, a city busker has released a charity single and video to help street sleepers.

Councils across the country were given £3.2bn in March to provide emergency shelter to homeless people.

Many were housed in hotels.

But according to the Manchester Evening News  a leaked report revealed ministers had “quietly pulled the plug”.

In response the government said it had given councils £3.2bn since March and urged them to keep supporting rough sleepers.

The Government also attacked the MeN story…

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “It is simply wrong and misleading to suggest that we have stopped funding to keep rough sleepers off the street.

“We gave councils an initial payment of £3.2m at the start of the pandemic so they could take immediate action and help rough sleepers off the street.

“We have since given councils a further £3.2bn to deal with the immediate pressures they are facing, including supporting rough sleepers.”

The government scheme is said to have helped to house about 5,400 people.

Manchester busker and recording artist Sam Qureshi said: “For 20 years I have been a street Busker and In this time I have made a lot of homeless friends on the streets and understand their plight and struggles to well.

“It makes my blood boil when people say that the majority are not genuinely homeless – Sometimes I think these small minded people are in denial about the situation.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.

Of course money can be given directly to reputable charities to supply them with food, shelter,clothing etc…. but a friendly word would be priceless. 

“I always wanted to do something about the situation and donated the song and idea to Shelter UK where I am project leader…

“I have organised the Digital release and the video by Ray Hayden – the artwork is by Steve Fox and everybody has worked for free.

“ I hope we raise £10,000 plus with the song and also raise awareness to the situation by the video which was filmed in Manchester.

“Shelter are a hugely reputable organisation and EVERY penny will go to them to decide how they will utilise the money – With the advent of the Corona Epidemic.  Shelter will appreciate the cash to tackle obstacles of the epidemic.”

Singer on this take of Bridge Over Troubled Water is Yvette Delgado.

To support Sam and the others click this link https://www.facebook.com/Bridge-Project-Shelter-UK-100657838249548/

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