Anti-homeless spikes, along with other defensive architecture, have been around for a while now, and we shouldn't stand for them anymore. They not only have a practical impact on homeless people's lives, disallowing them from sitting or sleeping in certain sheltered locations, but they also help to propagate the feeling of division in our communities, creating an 'us and them' mentality. This means there is less interaction, less communication and therefore ultimately less understanding of why people end up sleeping rough, and what we can do to help. Getting rid of these spikes is a small gesture, but a huge step in acceptance and care, which will help to break down barriers, allowing us to engage more fully with the poverty and need which lies on our very doorsteps.

The government is considering reducing tax credits for millions of working families as part of its £12bn welfare cuts. Changes would cut entitlements for about 3.7 million low-income families by about £1,400 a year, the IFS said, and has calculated that for the poorest families it would mean a reduction of £845 per child per year. Mr Osborne's political allies are saying the move will increase 'incentives to work' and Senior Tory sources are trying to suggest that tax credits have allowed big companies to get away with paying employees lower wages. During the general election, Prime Minister David Cameron promised he would not be cutting many benefits - including the state pension, pensioner benefits, and child benefit. It appears this didn't include child tax credits! On a recent appearance on BBC Two's Newsnight, David Skelton, director of the Conservative pressure group Renewal, stated that he agreed the tax credit bill could be lowered. "you have a lot of employers who are basically getting subsidy from the state for low paid work and we'd like to see a shift towards those employers who can afford to pay the living wage to pay the living wage." Mr Skelton said. The conservatives believe that this move will encourage workers to work more hours if they can, or if they are working part time at the moment. And also get to see a higher minimum wage over time as well. What is apparent is that this will hit the poorest hard in the short term with no guarantees that the lost benefits will be made up. Vulnerable families will have to work longer hours to maintain their current levels of income or loose out. We propose that these cuts do not go ahead. Stephen Timms, Labour's acting work and pensions secretary, said plans to cut £12bn from social security would hit "working families and children hard". "It's clear that David Cameron and George Osborne's plan will make working families less secure," he said. These cuts are an idea that is among many being considered now as the Tories wrestle with how to deliver their pledge to cut £12bn from Britain's £220bn budget for benefits and tax credits. We need to act now to show how many of us would be disappointed in such a decision.

Thousands of people are making journeys to Europe at great risk to their lives, to flee from war and danger. They have left everything behind - homes, jobs, almost all possessions, many bringing babies and children with them. Britain has a proud and noble history of admitting refugees - the kinder-transports before the last war saved many children, we admitted fleeing Kenyan Asians , we admitted Vietnamese boat people. Most of us have never faced anything like the loss, danger and fear the migrants are driven by. They go in over-crowded boats knowing they may drown, but take the risk , because what they leave behind is so terrible. We should in decency and compassion admit a fair and generous number of migrants to the UK and take the lead in encouraging all of Europe to do the same. I was on a ferry near the Greek island of Samos and about 50 migrants were brought on board. As we left the boat , next to me was a man holding the hand of a toddler, and we smiled at each other. I have a grandson about the same age. There was nothing I could do to help them then, but this country can and should help. Imagine if it was you or your family?

The Roddens Care Home Ballymoney has played an instrumental role for decades now in caring for the most vulnerable in society. Highly trained staff have offered first class residential care , step down beds , respite and recuperation for the people of Ballymoney and beyond, easing the burden on our already overstretched hospitals and domiciliary care teams. If this home closes it will have a detrimental impact on our elderly.

Thousands of tonnes of food is wasted every year by Tesco. Recently, however, the supermarket chain has expanded a scheme to donate all edible food to charity to 10 of its stores in the UK. This is a step in the right direction but it is still not enough. Everyday people in the UK are forced into food poverty; more and more people are becoming homeless and dependency on food banks is growing. It is disgusting that people must rely on food banks, but it is even more disgusting that perfectly good food is being wasted when there is such a need for it.

Because children are being failed, families are becoming ill with stress and if something is not done now both the children and the local area will suffer in the future.

Homeless people could be fined up to £1,000 for sleeping in doorways near popular tourist spots, under new rules launched by a London council. Homelessness charities have condemned the move, saying that it turns rough sleepers - who are often escaping lives of abuse - into criminals. Hackney Council’s Public Space Protection Order bans sleeping in public places - offenders are handed a £100 fixed penalty, which can rise to £1,000 in court.

Because there is too much of this misreporting of people claiming state benefits and it needs to stop

We are frustrated that calls are not answered, message states busy call volumes - this is not acceptable. We are frustrated that average waiting times are 30 -45 minutes with calls costing 9p a minute this is often more than most people can afford. Advisers seem to struggle understanding the notes on screen, letters sent seem not to make it on to the system, advisers are not able to say what will be paid when or how much -this helps no one. Advisers require further training! " Recently called CTC over 4 days before able to get through when money dropped due to their error - no food for the kids or petrol to get to work -left on hold for 45 minutes- money I couldn't afford but had to choose between food and the call to get the mistake sorted out!" This service is entitled a helpline but this is far from the service experienced, which leaves many in financial hardship and without a clear answer to the initial reason for the call.

The use of Food Banks has increased over the last 5 years, and is unlikely to decrease if and when welfare cuts bite. Without access to food banks, more people will, literally, have nothing to eat. As a society can we afford for this to happen? If collection points are available in all the major supermarkets it makes it easier for all of us just to buy a couple of extra items to donate alongside our regular shop. It also raises awareness of food poverty throughout the UK.

To force someone existing on welfare benefit into unpaid Work runs counter to any ideal of a humane society and its government. Whole communities have suffered as a result of ever changing economic fortune, and it falls to government to address wide spread unemployment and offer leadership and example, rather than deflecting responsibility and demonising the unemployed as being some how to blame.

If lifetime occupancy is not granted and Beryl's home as it has been for the past 20 years is removed or destroyed, Beryl will be forced to find alternative accommodation. At the age of 71 it is unacceptable for any Council to put a tax paying pensioner through such stress and suffering.