End appalling 'anti-begging' TFL announcements

The Issue

Currently, many tube lines carry public service announcements which say "There are beggars and buskers operating on this train. Please do not encourage their presence by supporting them."

Homelessness and rough sleeping have skyrocketed in our capital in recent years as a result of the government's brutal welfare cuts and austerity policies. People are forced to beg on streets and trains as a last resort - not because it's an attractive or lucrative activity.

The announcements currently running on the underground are deeply dehumanising, encouraging wealthy commuters to see those forced to beg on trains as a nuisance to be ignored - rather than people who have been badly let down by the system, and who deserve support and compassion.

As a Mayor with a strong sense of the injustices of austerity, I'm shocked that Sadiq Khan is overseeing such a heartless policy on London's tube network.


These announcements need to be removed immediately.

avatar of the starter
Georgia ElanderPetition Starter
Media enquiries

21,752

The Issue

Currently, many tube lines carry public service announcements which say "There are beggars and buskers operating on this train. Please do not encourage their presence by supporting them."

Homelessness and rough sleeping have skyrocketed in our capital in recent years as a result of the government's brutal welfare cuts and austerity policies. People are forced to beg on streets and trains as a last resort - not because it's an attractive or lucrative activity.

The announcements currently running on the underground are deeply dehumanising, encouraging wealthy commuters to see those forced to beg on trains as a nuisance to be ignored - rather than people who have been badly let down by the system, and who deserve support and compassion.

As a Mayor with a strong sense of the injustices of austerity, I'm shocked that Sadiq Khan is overseeing such a heartless policy on London's tube network.


These announcements need to be removed immediately.

avatar of the starter
Georgia ElanderPetition Starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
Responded
“Dear Petitioner, Thank you for the petition submitted on the change.org website about announcements on the Transport for London (TfL) network. No one should be faced with sleeping rough on our streets or on public transport. TfL is committed to supporting vulnerable people on its network and is supporting the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in his efforts to do all he can to help them find accommodation, access support services, and reconnect with family and friends. The announcements you refer to have been changed and TfL is using the following new announcement in stations: “TfL and the Mayor of London are committed to helping rough sleepers get off the street. You can help too, by donating to charity projects and referring rough sleepers to support services via StreetLink. Search ‘Help London’s Homeless’ to find out more.” The Mayor and TfL jointly fund a dedicated homeless outreach team that works on its services, including buses and the night tube. This team has already had great success in finding people accommodation and helping them off the streets. Feedback from drivers and other staff has been very positive about the benefits of having dedicated outreach workers engaging directly with rough sleepers on transport services. Londoners can play their part in helping this outreach team and others across London too through Streetlink (www.streetlink.org.uk). This service uses information from concerned members of the public to let outreach teams know where potential rough sleepers might be, so they can visit them to offer help. More broadly, the Mayor has also made it easier for Londoners to donate to charities who run frontline homelessness services in London through supporting the London Homeless Charities Group. This is a group of 22 homelessness and rough sleeping charities across London that Londoners can donate to through a single donation point. All donations are shared amongst these charities to provide real help for rough sleepers. By donating to the London Charities Homeless Group, people can directly help fund homeless services and help vulnerable people off the street. We are encouraging Londoners to donate via https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/homelessness/end-homelessness. We hope that by offering Londoners this way of donating, and by making it clear how Londoners can let services know about people they are concerned about, TfL is helping to make sure everyone can play a part in helping homeless people off the streets and its transport network. Yours sincerely Public Liaison Team Greater London Authority”
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Petition created on 8 April 2019