Labour’s candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig, visited the Salford charity Loaves and Fishes on Wednesday, where she heard personal stories of addiction and homelessness. Wayne, a former service user, told Craig: “If it wasn’t for this place I wouldn’t be here today.” Once married with four children, Wayne developed alcohol and drug problems, ending up homeless on the streets of Salford. He came to Loaves and Fishes 14 years ago. “This place helped me secure accommodation and get into rehab. I’ve been clean for seven years,” he said. “There should be more places like this.”
Craig Shares Personal Connection
Craig, who is also the leader of Manchester City Council, shared her own upbringing in Northern Ireland and her father’s issues with alcohol. “My dad was given an ultimatum by my mum – either stop drinking or he would lose his family,” she told those at the centre. The visit was part of her campaign ahead of the mayoral election.
Manifesto Launch: Expanding 'A Bed Every Night'
On Wednesday, Craig launched her manifesto for the city region, announcing plans to expand the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which provides emergency shelter and support to anyone sleeping rough or at imminent risk. If elected, the scheme would also offer better integrated support for those in need. “I’m in this because I want to change things,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “We’re in a national housing crisis. We’ve seen homelessness and poverty skyrocket since 2010,” she said, referring to the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition Government.
Addressing Criticisms of Labour’s Record
Though Labour has controlled the council for over 50 years, Craig argued: “It is unfair and misrepresentative to say that Labour has been in power for all those years, because it was a Conservative and Liberal Democrat government that forced changes in the benefit system, that made it difficult to build social and council housing, that forced families onto the streets. It’s a misunderstanding to say that any of us are happy with the status quo, because too many people are poor, too many people find life too hard.”
Rising Homelessness in the North West
The Manchester Evening News has reported on the rise in homelessness in Greater Manchester and the North West. Analysis by housing and homelessness support charity Shelter found that one in 308 people across the North West are homeless, with 25,132 people, including over 11,000 children, without a permanent home – an increase of 15 per cent from the previous year.
Loaves and Fishes: A Lifeline in Salford
Jennifer-Anne Smith, CEO of Loaves and Fishes in Pendleton, said the charity receives on average 98 visitors a day. It provides free food, hot drinks, and courses in computer skills, English language, and yoga. Funding includes £75,000 from Public Health. “We started by helping the homeless but then Covid hit and we had the cost of living crisis,” said Ms Smith. “During Covid, when people were on furlough, there was a 20 per cent reduction in people’s wages, which put some of them in poverty. They’ve struggled to get out of the red. And then we had the cost of living crisis. So we now support anybody who needs help. The number keeps increasing.”
Voices from the Centre
Several people told Craig the centre had provided much-needed support. Some had issues with addiction. “The first time I felt safe was in this centre,” said one man. “Copious amounts of cocaine and alcohol brought me here. Living on the streets, sofa surfing, I’ve done the lot. As a single, middle-aged bloke, I’m not a high priority.” Several explained that homeless people were falling through the gaps and unable to access services they needed.
Sam Cook, chief executive of Loaves and Fishes, said: “Salford is a tale of two cities. People see Media City and the shiny towers but that’s not the real Salford. Some things just don’t work.” Debbie, who became homeless 15 years ago after leaving Shrewsbury, now volunteers regularly for the charity. She told Craig that more social housing was needed.
Craig’s Pledge: 50,000 Council Houses
The Manchester City Council leader said she would make ending homelessness a central mission of her mayoralty, pointing to how her authority has eradicated the use of B&Bs as temporary accommodation for families. A 2023 report by the MEN revealed more than 100 families were being booked into B&Bs every month across Manchester city, costing the council £924 a week on average. Craig said her administration would work on building more council housing and deliver more affordable homes. “I’ve set the figure at 50,000 council houses. Greater Manchester’s current plan is that we need between nine, 20 and 39 [thousand]. Anything less than that is not dealing with the scale of the crisis.”
Craig also said she would use public sector land to build more suitable temporary accommodation, as well as creating teams to enforce the new Renters’ Rights Act to help people in the rental sector. The legislation, which came into force in May, introduced one of the biggest shake-ups of the private rented sector, changing how landlords can regain possession, limiting rent increases, and strengthening tenants’ rights.
Funding and Future Plans
Agreeing with Craig, Jennifer-Anne Smith added: “People who rent privately find that they can’t afford it. More people are struggling year on year.” While many services struggle to engage with homeless men, the charity’s male to female ratio is 70:30. The centre receives £600,000 a year funding, equating to £24 per head, with around 18 paid staff and 25 regular volunteers.
Craig also visited Oldfield Basin in Salford, a major brownfield regeneration scheme transforming former industrial land into new homes. By March 2028, there will be 90 new homes, of which 27 will be townhouses and the rest apartments; 40 homes will be on social rent. Craig concluded: “We can't be one of the richest countries in the world and have too many people struggling, not just at the end of the month but at the end of the week.”
