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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It’ll take a lot of resources, investment and patience to end rough sleeping in England for good. Political will has been the missing ingredient. Burnham has changed that. The PM's words have brought hope. @bigissue.com will be there to see if his actions live up to them. (8/8)

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Other countries have had success too. I - like Burnham - have looked to Finland to see what Britain can learn about how they virtually eradicated rough sleeping: www.bigissue.com/news/housing... (7/8)

bigissue.com

Why homelessness is rising in Finland – and what Britain can learn

Finland is the world leader on tackling homelessness. We travelled to Helsinki to find out why – and why numbers are set to rise in future.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

There have been false dawns before. The pandemic saw thousands of people brought off the streets into hotel rooms but, ultimately, progress was squandered. Here’s why: www.bigissue.com/news/housing... (5/8)

bigissue.com

Covid effectively ended rough sleeping. So where did it all go wrong?

The Everyone In scheme virtually ended rough sleeping during the Covid pandemic but five years on homelessness has surged to new heights.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

It’s not going to be easy. The number of people sleeping rough was at a record-high in England last autumn. There are plenty of questions to answer. Does everyone being brought in really mean everyone? Will there be long-term homes for people to move on to? www.bigissue.com/news/housing... (4/8)

bigissue.com

Homelessness facts and stats: The damning numbers you need to know

Experts worry about a looming crisis of homelessness. These are the rough sleeping figures and homelessness facts you need to know.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

This is not just for Christmas. The prime minister has pointed out these are just the first steps on a longer-term commitment. He has laid out the moral and monetary case for taking action. www.bigissue.com/news/housing... (3/8)

bigissue.com

Ending rough sleeping is a 'moral mission', says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham tells Big Issue why he has pledged to offer every person rough sleeping in England a place off the streets by Christmas.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The sense of urgency and leadership on this is huge. Political will has been sorely lacking on ending rough sleeping. It really is transformative that the prime minister is prioritising it. www.bigissue.com/news/housing... (2/8)

bigissue.com

Rough sleepers off streets by Christmas, says Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham has promised to end rough sleeping in England. Now he has revealed the first steps on how he hopes to do it.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I interviewed the prime minister about his plan to bring rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas. Here are some thoughts on his plans 🧵(1/8)

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We have recently started a Substack called Biggest Issue. For our latest, I asked councils with the most households in temporary accommodation how they spent their homelessness prevention funding. It offers an insight Burnham’s push for prevention. Give it a read: substack.com/@bigissueuk?...

substack.com

Big Issue Editors | Substack

Biggest Issue is your way to go deeper into Big Issue’s leading reporting, campaigning and direct impact on communities up and down the UK.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Wow! Never thought I'd see a new prime minister make a declaration to end rough sleeping their first action in No 10. Big from Burnham

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Good to finally see the back of the Vagrancy Act after a long wait. It's a small step in addressing homelessness but, as a society, we should be moving beyond ancient laws speaking of rogues, vagabonds and waggons.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I've been writing about rent reforms for years. I was starting to think I'd never see them arrive. Fun fact: Notre-Dame cathedral burned down the same day a no-fault eviction ban was promised. It's been rebuilt and has been open for virtually 18 months in the time rent reforms have taken.

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 20/04/2026

This week’s Big Issue is out today! Inside: 🌍 Earth day special 🌷 Gardening and the housing crisis 🔋 Lithium in Cornwall Read a sneak preview below, and buy a copy from your local vendor 🗞️ www.bigissue.com/behind-the...

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

1hr 37m🏃raised almost £800 for charity 💷 good Sunday www.justgiving.com/page/liam-ge...

Two runners in front of the Liver building at the end of the Liverpool Half Marathon. Pic credit: Colin Lane / Liverpool Echo

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

EXCLUSIVE: An investigation into SWEP shows it is still largely being used for cold weather and the use of 'sit-ups' where rough sleepers are offered chairs not beds Thanks to @ourmoh.bsky.social's Matt and @jessicaturtle.bsky.social for collaborating on this www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

Homeless people offered chair for the night during extreme weather

Councils are giving homeless people chairs instead of beds during extreme weather, the Museum of Homelessness has found.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Still no sign of things turning around on street homelessness. 4,793 people counted on a single night last August is a new record. It's also, sadly, likely to be an underestimate. Full story: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

Rough sleeping hits new high in England amid homeless kids fears

Rough sleeping in England has hit a record high as Labour's homelessness minister writes to councils over children on the streets.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

I'm running Liverpool Half Marathon on March 15th for a very important cause. Any support welcome. www.justgiving.com/page/liam-ge...

justgiving.com

Liam's half marathon for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity

Help Liam Geraghty raise money to support Clatterbridge Cancer Charity

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Paula Barker MP @paulabarkermp.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Important piece by @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for @bigissue.com. Whilst there was much to welcome in the long-awaited homelessness strategy, a national roll out of Housing First should have been a central component. www.bigissue.com/news/housing/housing-first-homelessness-strategy-labour/

bigissue.com

Labour’s failure to commit to Housing First 'risks thousands losing their home'

Housing First does not pay a central part in Labour's homelessnes strategy despite calls for a national rollout from campaigners.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

I grew up only a few miles from Heywood. I visited recently to try and understand why people are taking it upon themselves to "police their own streets". Here's what I found www.bigissue.com/news/activis...

bigissue.com

Meet the head of a Manchester group patrolling schools looking for 'outsiders'

The Heywood Community Guards, which patrols schools looking for 'outsiders', is raising difficult questions around vigilante justice.

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Greg Barradale @gregbarradale.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

🚨EXC: Starmer promised to house all veterans in need. But scheme which has got 1k vets off street is in doubt 👉Veterans orgs tell me future cash is uncertain 👉Orgs warn they'd have to shut housing without funding 👉 One org listed by gov as taking referrals never got cash

bigissue.com

Hundreds of veterans face homelessness as future of support scheme uncertain

Keir Starmer promised millions towards supporting veterans under threat of homelessness. Big Issue looks at how those promises worked out.

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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Liquid drips through the walls. Black mould creeps around the windows towards my bed. I hear screaming from downstairs. Rodents sneak out of the floorboards. A strange man lets himself into my home unasked. Is this a haunted house or my first London flat? Find out: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

Haunted houses are a classic horror trope – but are they scarier than landlords?

Haunted houses have appeared in Gothic literature and horror films for centuries. We look into how the trope has changed in the modern day.

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 29/10/2025

Awaab's Law will change how damp and mould is treated. Big Issue joined @kwajo.bsky.social to visit a family who've faced the issue for 10 years. Read more: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

My favourite stat about rent reforms is that Theresa May promised to ban no-fault evictions on the same day Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire. The cathedral has been rebuilt and reopened for almost a year www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

Labour's landmark rental reforms receive royal assent and finally become law

The Renters' Rights Bill has become the Renters' Rights Act as the king gives it royal assent to finally scrap no-fault evictions.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Awaab's family's barrister Christian Weaver also wrote for Big Issue about the 'tragedy and hope' in the long journey to create Awaab's Law www.bigissue.com/opinion/awaa...

bigissue.com

Awaab's Law is about more than damp and mould

As Awaab's Law comes into force, Awaab Ishak's family barrister Christian Weaver reflects on the journey to fix damp and mould across the UK.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

It was a privilege to interview Awaab Ishak's father Faisal Abdullah last week ahead of Awaab's Law coming into force today. Faisal and his family were horribly failed but their tireless campaigning will hopefully save many lives www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

Dad of boy who died due to mould in flat says he's 'proud' of his son

Awaab Ishak's father has spoken of his pride at the legacy Awaab's Law will bring as it promises to fix damp and mould in social housing.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

I recently had the privilege of visiting Finland to find out just why the Finns are so happy. We distilled everything I learned down into this special edition Big Issue magazine. From homelessness and Housing First; security to sauna, there's plenty to learn. www.bigissueshop.com/product/issu...

The cover of Big Issue magazine no.1689. The magazine focuses on Finland and features a reindeer on the cover.

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Greg Barradale @gregbarradale.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

In 2014, Hackney Council sold a property under Right to Buy for £95,050 In 2021, they bought it back off the ex-tenant for £365k In ~6 yrs, the council lost £269,950 on a single property It's not an isolated example. @bigissue.com has uncovered 100+ 'Yo-yo Homes' www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

bigissue.com

How ex-council tenants make over £200k selling homes back to councils

Big Issue investigates the Right To Buy properties sold back to councils for massive profits, just years after being bought at a discount.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

With this week marking what would have been Thatcher's 100th, I asked the local council in Grantham why they were holding ThatcherFest in her memory. Fair play, the answer made me laugh: www.bigissue.com/culture/marg...

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Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

Of all the things related to immigration I have been asked to comment on, this by @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for the @bigissue.com was a strange, but fun, one. How is this even a debate? Of course Superman is an immigrant. He is the very definition of one. www.bigissue.com/culture/film...

bigissue.com

Superman has always been an immigrant

The new Superman film has caused controversy after James Gunn called it the story of ‘an immigrant’. The character has always been this way.

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 09/05/2025

Big Issue is coming to Cardiff – and we want to hear from YOU! 🗓 12–14 May 📍 PWSH Centre, Queen St 🕙 10am–5pm Our journalists are in town to listen, report & connect. Got a story? Drop in and chat to us; no appointments necessary. Let’s shape the news together. Cardiff, we’re all ears. 👂

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Thanks to @mattdownie.bsky.social, @depaul-uk.bsky.social and @housing-justice.bsky.social for speaking to me and reflecting on a rollercoaster five years.

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Liam Geraghty @lgeraghty23.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

How did we get from reducing rough sleeping to virtually zero at the start of the Covid lockdown to the record-breaking numbers on the streets today? I analysed the Everyone In scheme's mixed legacy, five years on buff.ly/GtgJI3J

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Kartik Raj @kartikraj.eurosky.social · 04/03/2025

Excellent piece in the @bigissue.com by @lgeraghty23.bsky.social on the conclusions of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the UK. The article begins with social security, and goes on to cover a range of recommendations on housing, wages, work, poverty reduction & measurement

Headline and lede from Big Issue article by Liam Geraghty on 4 March 2025, with a photo of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

UN calls on Labour to increase benefits and scrap two-child limit in UK poverty crisis warning
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also called for the UK to set to measurable targets to eradicate poverty in line with the Big Issue’s Poverty Zero campaign

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 27/02/2025

🚨 LATEST FIGURES: 📊 The number of people rough sleeping in England has skyrocketed by 20% in just a year. An estimated 4,667 people were homeless on the streets on a single night in autumn 2024. 📈 The rise is the third consecutive year in which rough sleeping has increased. bit.ly/4kkuz0y

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 11/02/2025

Academics and campaigners have claimed a new basic income pilot in Greater Manchester could “end absolute poverty” in the city region, starting with people experiencing homelessness – if it gets the green light from mayor Andy Burnham. 🚦 Find out more. ⬇️ bit.ly/3EwrI4q

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 11/02/2025

Finland has been held up as an international example to follow in tackling homelessness but the Scandinavian country has just reported its first rising numbers in 11 years. 📈 @lgeraghty23.bsky.social reports. ⬇️ www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 27/01/2025

This week's issue is out now! 📰 Inside: 💯 We introduce our Top 100 Changemakers for 2025, celebrating people and organisations who have focused not on themselves but on the rest of society, as voted for by YOU Find out more ▶️ bit.ly/4h8iYzI

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Nathan Grayson @nathangrayson.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

agdq’s crazy taxi run has a mosh pit

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