Letters to the Editor: Step change vital to help young homeless

A total of 80,000 children will be homeless this Christmas, according to Shelter. This grim statistic forces us to reflect on our values, social vision and obligations; one would hope goading our nation and government into action.

BYHP, a local homeless charity, supports young people in North & West Oxfordshire, which is the Prime Ministers' own "backyard". Cherwell District Council announced that for the first time parental eviction has become the prime cause of homelessness in North Oxfordshire. This sheds light on a worrisome state of affairs, where more young people are homeless than adults, capturing the fundamental failure of our "benevolent" society that is unable to care for its young.

The drivers fuelling these despicable statistics are fairly evident. Welfare reforms squeeze every family's finances; forcing the eldest children to move out of the parental home has become one of the many ways families living in poverty are coping with cuts to their income.

But what is the solution? At a local level, BYHP provides support for families where young people are at risk of parental eviction, mediating with all parties to restore balance to the relationship. This preventative work is often complex, as each family has its own set of circumstances to work through and often goes unrecognised by statutory services.

However, continuing cuts to welfare spending are undermining the work of charities up and down the country. We need a step change in the way that we treat young people at an institutional and statutory level, entrenching respect for, and developing an understanding of, the lives they lead.

Anna Day, chief executive, BYHP

Youth workers thanked for their support

On behalf of the thousands of children and young people who use "youth voice" platforms and participation opportunities, I would like to say a big, National Youth Work Week "thank you" to the all of the youth workers who serve and support us, both staff and as volunteers.

We would like to invite more nominations for the best projects and staff to our Youth on Board Awards, open all year, in recognition of all your efforts enabling and empowering young people.

We believe that the quality and effectiveness of our voice is proportionate to the quality and care with which you support it. Long may the partnership continue.

Marc Kidson, chair, British Youth Council, including UK Youth Parliament and Young Mayor Network.