Families Stuck In Temporary Homes For Years

By Jason Farrell, Senior Political Correspondent

A Sky News investigation has found families are being forced to live in unsuitable temporary accommodation for up to seven years.

Government figures show that 80,000 children are among the increasing numbers of those living in limbo because councils cannot find them proper homes.

Some are forced to live in hostels or B&Bs where they are only supposed to remain for up to six weeks.

The number of families with children overstaying in B&Bs has quadrupled since 2010.

A separate study by the charity Shelter, seen exclusively by Sky News, reveals 41% of families in temporary homes in London are kept there for more than two years.

Derya said the cramped bedroom was like a prison cell

Roger Harding from Shelter told Sky News: "We were really surprised by the number of families having to live in temporary accommodation for so long.

"That's 4,000 families living in temporary accommodation for over two years and that's them living in a place where their life has been put on hold.

"They don't have the foundation of a stable home to get back on their feet and to properly look for jobs and get their kids into permanent schools."

Even though they are often more cramped, it costs taxpayers more to house families in emergency or temporary accommodation than in normal council homes.

More than 4,000 families live in B&Bs in 2014

Mother Derya Dosdogru was given a one-bedroom flat in north London as emergency accommodation when she became pregnant.

The bedroom is two metres by two metres and has no windows.

Enfield Council initially said she could move somewhere more appropriate within six months.

But seven years later she and her son still shared the box-like bedroom surrounded by unpacked belongings.

She described it as "like a cell" and like being "in prison" without daylight.

Ms Dosdogru and her son were recently moved out after being assisted by local charity Raising My Voice Foundation.

Storage items are stacked up high in Derya Dosdogru's old flat

During those seven years her flat cost the council between £200 and £300 a week.

Classed as temporary or emergency accommodation, rent can be up to three times that of a two bed council property - a bill footed by taxpayers.

Temporary or emergency homes are supposed to be a short term fix for homeless families.

But the number of those in Derya's situation has risen 20% in three years to more than 58,000.

When it comes to those in B&Bs, it has doubled from 2,050 families in the first quarter of 2010 to 4,370 in the first quarter of this year.

Roger Harding from Shelter says it's tough for families in temporary homes

Henry Gregg, from the National Housing Association, said: "The increasing number of people languishing in bed and breakfast, hostels and private rented accommodation, often with shared bathrooms and toilets, which is completely unsuitable for families, shows there is a real problem.

"We just don't build enough homes."

But Housing Minister Brandon Lewis told Sky News: "Councils have a responsibility to house families in settled accommodation as quickly as possible."

He said councils had been given greater powers to provide better privately rented accommodation.

"The number of households in temporary accommodation is well below the peak reached under the previous administration, which hit 101,000 in 2004," he said.

"Households now spend on average eight months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010."

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Oscar Pistorius Arrives At Court As Trial Resumes

Oscar Pistorius has arrived at court in Pretoria to hear the closing statements in his trial for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius, 27, faces a minimum of 25 years in prison if found guilty of premeditated murder.

He could also be convicted on lesser charges, such as culpable homicide or murder without premeditation.

Ms Steenkamp's parents have also arrived to hear the closing arguments from prosecution and defence lawyers. The speeches are expected to last two days.

It is the first time Ms Steenkamp's father, Barry Steenkamp, has attended court since the trial began.

The trial in Pretoria was put on hold last month after hearing from 37 witnesses.

More follows...

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Darling 'Wins Debate' With Style And Substance

I remember putting together a profile piece on Alistair Darling and his old schoolmaster at Loretto in Musselburgh telling me how the young Alistair insisted to his schoolmates that his surname was pronounced 'Durling'.

The reason was that, in a place where everyone was addressed by their second name, the future Chancellor couldn't bear the shout of "Hello Darling!" across the playground.

In time, of course, he's grown to shed the schoolboy sensitivity and a nation has come to know a political player.

From local councillor to MP to Chancellor, to chairman of the Better Together campaign, a sort of Defender-in-Chief of Scotland's place in the United Kingdom. 

Alistair Darling served as Chancellor from 2007 to 2010

He's Westminster's Clark Kent - bookish, some say boring - but he's no mug.  A 27-year survival record in the political bear-pit is testimony to that. 

Two hours of referendum debate, in particular, showed a man who knows when to adjust his game.

The Alistair Darling that faced Alex Salmond was in streetfighter mode. He shouted, finger-pointed and sneered his way through TV's first referendum head-to-head.

Mr Darling appeared more assertive on screen

To those who said he lacked passion, he laid it out before them in a spectacle rarely viewed. And it seemed to work.

The general consensus is that Mr Darling was the winner on the night, prompting near-euphoria amongst supporters who've watched Mr Salmond trample over them in debate for years.       

Mr Darling landed blows on the subject matter, in particular the currency that an independent Scotland would use.

Critically, he also scored on style. He was more assertive and dominated the TV screen, drew the viewer's eye. 

Mr Salmond had clearly opted for mild-manners and measured tones. This, following reports he was in consultation with a 'happiness guru' who was grooming him for his performance. 

I wonder if, on reflection, he'll be happier toughening up his act for the TV debates to come.

Perhaps he needs to redress the balance between nice man and hard man before he can look statesman.

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Scottish Referendum: Leaders Clash In TV Debate

The two men leading the fight for Scotland's future have clashed in a lively televised debate on the independence referendum.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond faced Alistair Darling MP, the leader of the Better Together campaign, with just over six weeks to go until the September 18 vote.

The pair thrashed out issues from whether an independent Scotland would keep the pound and remain a member of the European Union, to the economy and the future of North Sea oil revenues.

An instant Guardian/ICM poll of viewers conducted immediately after the debate concluded Mr Darling won the debate by 56% to 44%.

A yes vote stands for 'hope and ambition', said Mr Salmond

But Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told broadcaster STV, which had staged the independence clash: "I definitely think my side won."

The debate was the first such encounter between the two men.

There were fiery exchanges over Scotland's future prosperity and the prospect of currency union after independence, with Mr Salmond refusing to set out his "Plan B" if Scotland is barred from keeping the pound.

Speaking in front of an occasionally raucous 350-strong audience at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, Mr Darling said: "Any eight-year-old can tell you the flag of a country, the capital of a country and its currency.

Mr Darling may have scored a victory, a poll suggested

"I presume the flag is the saltire, I assume our capital will still be Edinburgh, but you can't tell us what currency we will have."

Mr Salmond told his opponent he was not in favour of joining the euro and added: "We'll keep the pound because it belongs to Scotland as much as to England."

On the EU, Mr Salmond accused the Yes campaign of trying to scare people into thinking they could be thrown out of the union after independence.

But Mr Darling said it was unclear on what terms Scotland would be allowed to rejoin the EU, or if its membership would be opposed.

Pressed on whether he agreed with David Cameron that an independent Scotland could be successful, Mr Darling said he believed the country could go it alone - but the risks and costs of doing so outweighed the benefits.

The pair were cheered and jeered by the 350-strong audience in Glasgow

In closing statements, Mr Darling said the referendum would be the "single biggest decision" for Scotland, and there would be "no going back" on a Yes vote.

But Mr Salmond insisted: "No-one will ever govern Scotland better than the people who live and work in Scotland ... voting yes is a vote for hope and ambition over fear."

The latest poll from Ipsos MORI shows more people plan to vote to break away from the UK when the referendum takes place next month.

Although a majority of the electorate is expected to vote to stay in the United Kingdom.

On the morning of the debate, the three main UK party leaders announced they had signed a pledge to increase the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg all put their names to a declaration made earlier this year by their parties' Scottish leaders to guarantee an increase in Scotland's powers under devolution.

Think tank Demos, which looked at how the debate played out on Twitter, said: "It wasn't cheers but boos that filled this new digital arena and our analysis suggests people were turned off for one of the oldest reasons of all - neither politician was keen to answer the question."

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Miliband Slams Cameron's Handling Of Gaza Crisis

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Labour leader Ed Miliband has accused David Cameron of failing to speak out about an Israeli military operation that he describes as "wrong and unjustifiable".

In a strongly worded statement, he said Mr Cameron had been right to call Hamas an appalling, terrorist organisation.

"But the Prime Minister is wrong not to have opposed Israel's incursion into Gaza," said Mr Miliband.

The Opposition leader added: "And his silence on the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian civilians caused by Israeli's military action will be inexplicable to people across Britain and internationally."

Downing Street reacted angrily to the statement, insisting the Prime Minister had been clear that both sides in the conflict need to observe a ceasefire.

"We are shocked that Ed Miliband would seek to misrepresent that position and play politics with such a serious issue."

A Labour source said the situation on the ground in Gaza had led Mr Miliband to speak out.

He said he supported Israel and believed it had the right to defend itself.

"But its military actions in the past two weeks have been wrong and unjustifiable.

The crisis in Gaza is set to continue

"The escalation of violence engulfing Gaza has led, and is leading, to suffering and destruction on an appalling scale, and is losing Israel friends in the international community day by day."

It came amid claims that Britain is selling arms to Israel that could be being used against Palestinian citizens.

Katy Clark, a Labour MP on the Committee on Arms Export Controls, told Sky News arms had been sold since 2010 under hundreds of licences that were still in place.

Her committee found the UK can sell 22 different types of equipment to Israel including components for military combat vehicles, communications equipment, sniper rifles and water cannon.

The Government said it had started a review into all the licences, with the ultimate decision to suspend any lying with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

It is led by Lib Dem minister Vince Cable, who will be under pressure to act given the outspoken interventions from senior figures in his party.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has called on Israel to open direct talks with the political arm of Hamas.

Writing in The Guardian, he said the "daily images of human torment in Gaza have been harrowing and heartbreaking".

And he insisted Israel's "disproportionate" military response was only worsening the long-term situation.

Mr Clegg pointed to how the Queen shook hands with the former IRA commander Martin McGuinness as a reminder "that even the most intractable conflicts can be resolved".

Former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown said any arms sales contributing to this conflict should be stopped.

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'Kidnapped' Israeli Soldier Declared Dead

Miliband Slams Cameron's Handling Of Gaza Crisis

Updated: 7:24am UK, Sunday 03 August 2014

By Anushka Asthana, Political Correspondent

Labour leader Ed Miliband has accused David Cameron of failing to speak out about an Israeli military operation that he describes as "wrong and unjustifiable".

In a strongly worded statement, he said Mr Cameron had been right to call Hamas an appalling, terrorist organisation.

"But the Prime Minister is wrong not to have opposed Israel's incursion into Gaza," said Mr Miliband.

The Opposition leader added: "And his silence on the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian civilians caused by Israeli's military action will be inexplicable to people across Britain and internationally."

Downing Street reacted angrily to the statement, insisting the Prime Minister had been clear that both sides in the conflict need to observe a ceasefire.

"We are shocked that Ed Miliband would seek to misrepresent that position and play politics with such a serious issue."

A Labour source said the situation on the ground in Gaza had led Mr Miliband to speak out.

He said he supported Israel and believed it had the right to defend itself.

"But its military actions in the past two weeks have been wrong and unjustifiable.

"The escalation of violence engulfing Gaza has led, and is leading, to suffering and destruction on an appalling scale, and is losing Israel friends in the international community day by day."

It came amid claims that Britain is selling arms to Israel that could be being used against Palestinian citizens.

Katy Clark, a Labour MP on the Committee on Arms Export Controls, told Sky News arms had been sold since 2010 under hundreds of licences that were still in place.

Her committee found the UK can sell 22 different types of equipment to Israel including components for military combat vehicles, communications equipment, sniper rifles and water cannon.

The Government said it had started a review into all the licences, with the ultimate decision to suspend any lying with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

It is led by Lib Dem minister Vince Cable, who will be under pressure to act given the outspoken interventions from senior figures in his party.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has called on Israel to open direct talks with the political arm of Hamas.

Writing in The Guardian, he said the "daily images of human torment in Gaza have been harrowing and heartbreaking".

And he insisted Israel's "disproportionate" military response was only worsening the long-term situation.

Mr Clegg pointed to how the Queen shook hands with the former IRA commander Martin McGuinness as a reminder "that even the most intractable conflicts can be resolved".

Former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown said any arms sales contributing to this conflict should be stopped.

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Why Obama's Hands Are Tied Over Gaza

On the day the White House said the Israeli military should do more to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the US confirmed it had agreed to supply the same military with more ammunition.

The Obama administration has hardened its criticism of the shelling of a UN school in Gaza calling it "indefensible" and saying there is little doubt the Israelis were responsible.

"We need our allies in Israel," said administration press secretary Josh Earnest "to live up to the high standards they have set themselves". Meanwhile those same allies were being invited to help themselves to more of the US arms stockpiles in Israel.

Duplicitous double standards or another sign of the complexity of US-Israeli relations? Depends on your point of view.

There is no doubt the Obama administration is concerned and frustrated by Israel's conduct. There is also no doubt the administration will continue to support it to the hilt for as long as required.

The US has agreed to supply Israel with more ammunition

Frustrated not least because of the trashing of the US Secretary of State John Kerry by Israeli cabinet ministers and media after his efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The Obama administration has not hidden its fury at the personal attacks on America's chief diplomat by senior members of the Netanyahu government.

The mounting civilian suffering is a concern to the US, for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons.

What's left of America's standing in the Arab world is further undermined by gruesome pictures of slaughter caused by US-supplied weaponry being fired into Gaza.  

A lot has been made of the dysfunctional relationship of the two countries' leaders. 

Mr Netanyahu's less-than-smooth relationship with Obama is well documented

Bibi and Barack have had more than their share of differences, and none of the political intimacy of George W Bush and Ariel Sharon. 

But these days Israel can take US support for granted far more than it could back then.

When Ariel Sharon wanted to send his military into Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank in 2002 he personally asked Bush to let him do so and give him enough time to finish the job.

The destruction in Jenin is nothing compared to what Israel has wrought in Gaza and it has done so without needing to ask for American permission. 

There are many reasons for US support for Israel, some historic, others more current.

Palestinians say more than 1,400 people have died in Gaza

The US-Israeli relationship is one of the fundamental constants of American foreign policy in the Middle East. With a region in ferment and in a state of flux, that is more important to Washington than ever.

The Israeli lobby is also hugely powerful in the US. 

Capitol Hill has been called Israeli-occupied territory; such is the sway the Jewish state holds over US politicians.

Multifarious pro-Israel organisations, millions given to Israel supporters at election time and masterful use of the media all mean that is unlikely to change.

Israel has the same hold on everyday Americans as it has on politicians.

US public opinion has been overwhelmingly sympathetic to Israel since the second intifada when the Palestinians began blowing up women and children on buses and since 9/11, which hardened US attitudes to violent Muslims of any description.

Fifty-six Israeli soldiers have died since the offensive began

More often than not the US media is inclined to accept the Israeli narrative. 

Coverage of tunnels out of Gaza is a case in point.

When Israeli military PR shifted the focus from rockets to tunnels, US coverage followed.

Too much talk of rockets is a threat to Israel economically now the country's main airport is within range.

Israel now claims Hamas tunnels are their main casus belli.

There has been little questioning of Israeli claims they are a terrorist threat to women and children, when thus far they have only been used by Hamas militants for military purposes to target Israeli soldiers. 

US support of Israel is mirrored by the attitude of some Arab nations in the region.

Egypt's recent ceasefire plan angered Hamas by including many of Israel's demands and few of the Palestinians'.

The Saudis and Jordanians are also quietly cheering the Jewish state from the sidelines. 

Since the last major Israeli operation in Gaza the faultlines have shifted in the Middle East because of the deepening chasm among Muslims, between Sunnis and Shia. 

On one side, Iran and its allies, the Assad regime in Damascus, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

On the other Tehran's enemies in the Gulf and Egypt who are in no mood to help out Iran's Sunni allies, Hamas in Gaza. 

While much of the Middle East remains silent as the carnage continues in Gaza, Israel will assume it is carrying out the wishes of at least some of its neighbours.

Washington will continue dishing out carefully worded criticism if Israel keeps facing claims it has shelled children sleeping in UN buildings.

But it is not going to be reducing its support for its closest ally in an increasingly troubled region.

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