【Shigeo’s Review】
The latest situation regarding homelessness in the UK, particularly in London, is explained in great detail.
As of 2024, the number of homeless people in London has reached 183,000, setting a record high. This figure includes not only those living directly on the streets but also individuals staying in shelters or temporarily with friends, indicating that the actual number of “rough sleepers” is just a part of the total.
Furthermore, a survey conducted in early 2025 shows that the number of rough sleepers has increased by 8%, highlighting the serious issues of economic hardship and housing shortages.
A particularly noteworthy point is that the lack of housing is one of the fundamental factors contributing to the rise in homelessness. Due to population growth and an influx of immigrants, London is facing chronic housing shortages, leading to skyrocketing rents.
In 2024, private rental prices increased by 11.5%, resulting in an average rent of approximately 500,000 yen, which is significantly high even compared to urban areas in Japan. This high rent makes it increasingly difficult for many low-income individuals and young people to secure housing. The situation where rent increases outpace wage growth also contributes to the rise of homelessness and poverty.
Under the leadership of the Starmer administration, the government has set a plan to build 1.5 million homes over five years. However, a severe shortage of construction workers has been reported, with more than half of job applications lacking the necessary skills.
The construction industry requires an increase of 250,000 workers, and the shortage of personnel has yet to be addressed. Consequently, the progress of housing construction is not as rapid as expected, and the issue of housing shortages is likely to persist.
Additionally, it is interesting to note that London Mayor Sadiq Khan aims to host the Olympics in 2040. While promoting sports as a key industry for the city is a rational strategy, it raises concerns that, amid escalating homelessness issues, temporary relocations or measures associated with hosting the Olympics will be necessary.
Currently, there is no fundamental solution to the homelessness problem, leading to concerns about holding large-scale events while allowing social contradictions and growing inequalities to remain unaddressed.
This video goes beyond just presenting statistics and figures; it effectively intertwines complex factors like housing shortages, workforce shortages, and economic disparities, making it easier for viewers to grasp the overall picture of urban issues in the UK.
The video seriously addresses the homelessness problem in the UK while comprehensively explaining the economic and social structural challenges behind it, making it highly recommendable for viewers interested in social issues.
