COTSWOLD residents are being urged to call on MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown to back the Homelessness Reduction Bill in a debate on Friday.

Emmaus Gloucestershire (EG), a charity which works to bring an end to homelessness in the county, celebrated Homelessness Sunday on January 22 by drumming up further support for its campaign.

The bill, to amend the Housing Act 1996, to make provision about measures for reducing homelessness, is due to be debated in the House of Commons on Friday, January 27.

The call to action also coincides with the tenth anniversary of the death of Abbé Pierre, who started the Emmaus movement.

In 1954, angered by the deaths of homeless women and children, Abbé Pierre famously appealed to the French nation to donate blankets and warm clothes, in what would become known as the Uprising of Kindness.

This act was the catalyst for the movement, which then spread to the UK.

If passed, the bill will change the law and enable councils in England to take action to reduce homelessness and prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.

It would be the first reform of England’s homelessness legislation in 40 years and could prevent more than 40,000 people from becoming homeless each year.

The bill could also save the state as much as £370m every year.

Addie Stevenson, CEO of EG, said: “In 1954, Abbé Pierre was inspired to act and change the lives of the homeless in Paris.

“Homelessness still remains as prevalent now as it did in 1954, so we’re urging everyone in Gloucestershire to contact their local MP and encourage them to attend the next Homelessness Reduction Bill debate on the January 27.

“If the bill becomes law, it would be a step in the right direction in greatly improving the support available to those who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in the UK.”

Bob Blackman’s Homelessness Reduction Bill aims to bring homelessness legislation up to date and prevent people without children from being told by councils to fend for themselves.

In the future, councils will be expected to prioritise and give more practical help to avoid single women and men from becoming homeless.

Anyone wishing to contact their local MP to ask them to attend the debate can get help on writetothem.com/ or download a letter template from: emmaus.org.uk/gloucestershire