The proposal by the City Council to 'crackdown' on soup kitchens is yet another meanspirited and authoritarian measure from New Labour. If there are problems with noise and rubbish from these vans, then I know that those running them will be more than happy to cooperate with the Council in tackling this problem. But this is not the real reason. It is about targetting some of the most vulnerable people in our society in the name of 'cleaning up' our city. It is about targetting people who do not have anyone to speak up for them. At meetings I have attended where I have spoken out against this measure, the Deputy Leader of the Council stated that he did not believe there was no homeless problem in Manchester, and that those providing soup kitchens were doing so to 'ease there own consciences'. If you believe that then you probably also believe in finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq!

"those providing soup kitchens were doing so to 'ease there own consciences'."

I've never been a fan of Manchester Council and comments like this dont surprise me. You only need to look and study the so called leaders..are they doing what they do for the good of the people or is there another agenda somewhere ?

Whats happened ? Where are he great leaders imortalised in history by statues ect..cant see Karny or any of this lot getting one..can you ? They're pathetic.

I agree with the Lib Dem councillor's comments - it would seem to be a very nimby attitude on the part of some businesses or residents who resent the intrusion in to what they see as 'their' space. Limit our efforts to helping people, and I'm sure we wouldn't mind if we clear up after the soup kitchens - I'll do it myself if they think its such a problem!

What about all the mess that is left behind by the people on their way home from all the bars and clubs in Manchester? Are MCC going to stop them from eating their chips, burgers and kebabs while waiting for taxi's, buses and the metrolink to take them homw? I didn't think so. So leave these "Poor" people alone and get on with something more worthwhile. Like putting more "plastic" cows around the City Centre"!

If Manc council know where the kitchens set up, surely they can target rufuse clean up teams to remove litter.

These mobile soup kitchens are obviously providing an essential service, i hope the council work WITH them, not against.

According to official figures Manchester has the highest number of rough sleepers outside of London. Soup Runs can be a valuable source of support for homeless people on the streets especially for those who have become detached from other services. Soup Runs are essentially an outreach service so forcing them into buildings seems to defeat the point of them. This appears to be an over-reaction if the problem really is simply that they can leave a mess behind. A better approach, surely is to ensure they are co-ordinated as part of the Homelessness Strategy and equipped to help people off the streets where they can - rather than effectively abolishing them.

I don't care if you white, black, chinese or tan,
don't care if you're old, gay, a women or a man,
if you're on the streets and in need of food,
don't spill your soup or we'll have you moved.

In'th north we used to be noted for our humanity and charity. Now it seems that we must hid such things from the view of those "up and comings." As there is no one in council, government etc. willing to look after these poor folk thank goodness for the work of the soup kitchens a small but vital safety net. Leave them alone because society is judged by how it treats its weakest and vulnerable Graham C

I this day and age they shoild not be necessary. Most customers are "Drunks and addicts". No one asked them to become like that they chose their way of life.

I do agree about drinkers and litterlouts leaving rubbish they should be hit by fines and hard.

If the council has to work with these soup kitchens why not employ the beneficiaries to tidy up after themselves and the streets in general. Maybe a job would restore pride into some and shame others.

Keith from Oldham. Alcoholism is a disease. This is accepted by the British Medical Association (BMA), the World Health Organisation (WHO) etc etc. People don't choose to suffer from a disease. Have some compassion man.

Homeless bard, you have just brightened up my day. I shall chuckle all the way home. Nice one!

Shopping bags, pizza boxes, McD wrappers, bottles, cans, old newspapers and magazines, cigerette butts, flyers, junk mail, bus, tram and train tickets, sweet wrappers.

Don't know where the homeless get the money to buy all this stuff to leave scattered on our streets.

Homeless my **se.

Get em off the streets - wasters.

Maggie Th

As I look at my family I thank God that we each have more than enough to meet our needs and I know that it is my duty to share my good fortune with those who need help. The people that give their time and try to help their fellow human beings should be assisted not discouraged . In this day and age soup kitchen are essential, they are not an eye sore, they provide minimal sustenance to our fellow citizen who have fallen upon hard times often through no fault of their own. How some of our poor homeless people manage to survive the cold and misery that winter brings is beyond imagination. We are talking about providing a warm drink and a bite to eat free of charge to those who are truly in need. If Manchester Councillors had any feeling for others apart from themselves they would be helping the Kitchen providers not laying down some silly, petty restrictions.

It's not April 1st, so it's not a joke.
This is shameful. I am disgusted. ANY ONE could find themselves homeless. I am utterly heartbroken that people are still so heartless. SHAME ON YOU ALL.

The City Council have obviously never heard of the line:"There but for the grace of God go I".
This scandalous and pathetic attack on the soup providers is totally syptomatic of the society we live in.The uncaring,selfish,greedy society.Thatcher may be gone from number ten but in Blair and his puppets her legacy is alive and kicking.
Why are the weak ,ill, vulnerable and needy being castigated scapegoated and blamed by the powers that be for their horrendous situation?.Whatever happened to Labour controlled Councils having a social conscience?
The Council should do well to remember that charity begins at home,and as the homeless are living in the streets of Manchester,that is their home.The homeless need help and assitance, not to be hindered by the suits in City Hall,who are more concerned about image than substance,and would rather see homeless people die of starvation than have a few bits of litter on the pavements.

Another own goal by the new Labour Council.

Manchester doesn't seem to have a homelessness problem - apart from when the soup kitchens are out!!

Kat, you are so wrong. I know people who live on the streets. They don't sleep in the middle of the road so you can see them you know. They sleep anywhere they can stay warm, such as in big commercial bins. Just because you don't see them from your warm, cozy middle class home, it doesn't mean they don't exist.

This is an emotive issue, but we also know that the presence of soup runs in the city centre are a cause of nuisance and disamenity to many residents and businesses. The facts are that
- there is no-one starving on the streets of Manchester today
- there are no more than 20 rough sleepers on the streets of the city centre
- there is no significant homelessness within the city centre
- there is now ample accommodation and support available to anyone presenting as homeless in the city centre
- this includes many places where people in need can access cheap or free meals indoors
- there is absolutely no wish to do anything but support and promote that provision
- the Company was the instigator, as well as an ongoing promoter of the 'Change for the Better' Campaign which aims to generate money for the needs of street people whilst discouraging begging. We also work closely with 'The Big Issue', funding and supporting innovative projects.

There are known to be at least 14 organisations coming into the city centre with food and clothing, up to seven days a week; at least one street has up to five different soup runs parked up on one day. At least one of the providers claims to provide for 150 people in a night. Given the insignificant level of homelessness and rough sleeping in the city, it is clear that soup runs are proving food for many people who are neither homeless nor live in or near the city centre. Many of them have drink or drug problems, mental health problems, or exhibit disruptive or chaotic behaviour. They are attracted into the city centre and remain after the soup runs have long gone, and often through the night. Whilst we do not doubt the motives of the soup run providers, we believe it is misguided - and wholly unnecessary - to attract people whose need is different and far greater than that of the simple incentive of free food, and then leave them in vulnerable and chaotic groups in the city centre. Indoor centres where food is available also provide washing and toilet facilities; soup runs do not. This in itself creates a hygiene problem at the sites used. There are also associated problems of discarded food, blankets etc. And of course rough sleeping itself can be generated by this whole process!

We have no wish to declare war on soup run providers, but have merely drawn to their attention the changing ways in which effective social provision for the needy is now delivered in the 21st century, and indeed the changing face of the city centre itself. Many residents live on streets that ten years ago were derelict and deserted. The level of soup run provision is far in excess of real need, such that soup runs now create their own 'demand' by drawing people in from all over Greater Manchester. We would rather providers work more closely with Manchester Housing and their partner voluntary organisations in the 'Moving On' strategy, one facet of which is to phase out on street provisions and replace them by more purposive and long term support for those really in need of it, delivered in their own communities (not on some back street of the city centre late at night). In this context there would appear to be no reason why soup runs should be exempt from the parking regulations, food hygiene safeguards, refuse and litter regulations which apply to all other people - residents, visitors, and businesses alike, within the city centre. Indeed they legally cannot be exempted. This is hardly a 'purge'.

Finally, it must also be added that the specific faith-based approach of some (but not all) providers may be a barrier to providing an effective service to those not subscribing that specific faith or its ethical precepts.

I hope that this has helped set the story in context

Dear Editor

The decision to rid Manchester of the unsightly image of the soup kitchens has been fully welcomed by many of the residents and businesses, who have aksed the city centre management and the council for months to take strong positive action on these soup vans.

As a spokeperson working along side many of ther different organisations in the city , We have been plagued for years by an ever increasing amount of undesirables, alcoholics and drug users coming into the city centre causing anti social behaviour, crime and disorder, aggressive begging, and intimation around the night time economy across the city centre.

They use the soup vans as an excuse to commit crime and disorder, and it is a fact that more and more users of the vans are travelling from Rochdale, Bury and Oldham for their free soup.

we need to ask ourselves does Manchester really have a homeless problem, or do we suffer with every one esles ??

It is a shame that good decent areas in the city centre suddenly became No Go zones, when the soup vans turn up. People fear walking down the street pass these people.

I find it hard to understand, why we need this service at all When we have the top end of Oldham Street full of so called charities that claimed to help the homeless.

The city council and city centre management should make Manchester free from any sort of mock charities and organisations who are exploiting the homeless in a broader sense, e.g. Companies such as the Big Issues which force homeless people to sell their tacky magazine so that they can buy food and drink.

On the other we have the Salvation Army who only admit people with mental health problems free of charge in any of their places.
Everyone else has to pay cash for their nightly stay in the hostels because of this it forces many to sleep rough in and around the city.


Phil Burke
Manchester

Even though I come from London and live in Devon, I think it is disgraceful that anyone is even thinking of taking the soup runs away.

They have had soup runs in London for years, and this is the only time people on the street have contact with another human being.

It is also the only time a lot of street people eat anything during any 24 hour period.

Think again Manchester..if you go ahead with this plan, you will be causing a lot of people a lot of suffering

No. These soup vans must stay. I used to help out on one of the runs many years ago. Many of the people who use the facility did not like to use the shelters available because of the regimentation. They prefer to be outdoors, they were not beggars, they were ladies and gentlemaen of the road. Without this service there will be many more begging on the street or just going hungry. We have a social responsibility for these people.

It's absolutely ridiculous. If there are people willing to run them and companies/organisations willing to provide the food then they should be able to help whoever they want with the soup kitchens. Going along and helping at one is an extremely rewarding experience from which both sides benefit. Don't be so shallow minded, not everyone chooses their environment...

I think getting rid of food trucks that supply food to the homeless is a pretty stupid and mean spirited idea. If the goverment did their jobs properly there would be no homeless and hungry people for them to take food away from.

where will the council draw the line? its sounds to me that the management group of the city council are becoming more and more sadistic in there approach to clear the streets of the untouchables.
they want to attract people with money to the city and the have nots are a inconvienance to thier PR campaigns.
whats the point of living in a city that has no heart or soul?
the council should support these charitable acts, if people cannot beg or have free food what is their option?
just provide more bins or staff to help clean up
whats the problem big brother!