NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE The Celtic League has written to Community Minister Eric Pickles MP (see below) asking what steps his Department has in hand to tackle homelessness in Cornwall. The issue was highlighted at the recent Celtic League AGM in Dublin in March. League DOI, Bernard Moffatt, cites a news report from four years ago highlighting the problem. He also points to a recent initiative of the Prime Minister aimed at stimulating tourism which he says may exacerbate matters. ?The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Mr Eric Pickles MP DCLG 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF 17th July 2015 Dear Minister, In 2011 UK newspaper, The Guardian, carried an article focusing on homelessness in Cornwall. (See link): (voir le site) Four years on delegates at the Celtic League AGM in Dublin held in March once again highlighted the problems of homelessness in the Duchy. I am aware that a chronic shortage of housing exists in many areas of the United Kingdom but the problem is exacerbated in Cornwall (and indeed in Wales) by the propensity of people from other parts of the UK to buy holiday homes. I note that your colleague, Mr Cameron the Prime Minister has recently announced that he wants to stimulate domestic tourism not least in Cornwall, a favourite holiday destination for his own family. Obviously further stimulation of the tourist industry may help the economy but will it also exaggerate an already appalling housing crisis. Can I ask what initiatives your Department has in hand to address the issue of a shortage of affordable accommodation, for first time buyers or rental, in Cornwall? As that article many years ago in the Guardian prophetically said ?for some Cornwall is not a holiday but a place to sleep rough in the woods?. Yours sincerely, J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information? The link to the Guardian article is in the text of the letter to the Community Minister (above). Here?s a link to an organisation which aims to help single homeless people in Cornwall: (voir le site) J B Moffatt (Mr) Director of Information Celtic League 17/07/15 THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE. The Celtic League was established in 1961and has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues (voir le site) Yahoo! Groups Share this!