Rapid reading summary – short reports and web links
Homelessness jumps by 14% in a year
Guardian – Almost 50,000 households across England accepted as homeless as repossession rates and unemployment rise .The number of people officially classed as homeless in England has jumped by 14% – the biggest increase for nine years – as what charities have described as a “perfect storm” of rising repossession rates and unemployment drives thousands more families into temporary accommodation.
Across England, 48,510 households were accepted as homeless by local authorities in 2011, according to figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on Thursday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/mar/08/homelessness-jumps-repossession-unemployment
Seventy per cent oppose gay marriage, poll finds
CatholicHerald – Seven out of 10 British people believe that marriage should continue to be defined as a lifelong union of a man and a woman, and more than eight out of 10 believe that children have the best chance in life if raised by their biological parents.The results, revealed by a ComRes online poll of more than 2,000 people, arrive on the eve of the Government consulting on opening marriage to same-sex couples.
The consultation is due to be published on Thursday next week. The survey, commissioned by Catholic Voices, a group created to put the Church’s case in the media, also shows majority support for civil partnerships.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/03/08/seventy-per-cent-oppose-gay-marriage-poll-finds/