Charity worker slams MP for cutting off communication

Charity worker and champion for the homeless, Ian Howgate made the allegation in a personal letter to Mr Benyon’s leader David Cameron.
A “disillusioned” Mr Howgate has protested to the Prime Minister after Mr Benyon said he would no longer communicate with him, even though he knew that he represented the homeless and disadvantaged in his West Berkshire constituency.
Clutching the email from Mr Benyon, Mr Howgate, aged 48, said: “I spend virtually every minute of every day helping and advising the homeless, but Mr. Benyon has effectively slammed the door in my face.
“I am a professional contact with these people who might need Mr. Benyon’s vital support, but he’s cut me off. Day and night I go out and literally take people off the streets in Newbury and try to find a bed and food for them.
“I’m dealing with 31 homeless people in Newbury at present, and the figure is rising almost daily. Homelessness is a terrible problem in West Berkshire where the council is failing them badly.”
Earlier this month, the Newbury Weekly News reported that the rising rate of West Berkshire’s homelessness was the third worst in the country after the area’s homeless figures had rocketed from five to 61 in less than two years.
Mr Howgate said he had been sent an email in which Mr Benyon said: “From now on I suggest you get those you wish to help to contact me directly.
“That is the way to ensure that I am working within the rules and focusing on people’s genuine concerns.
“My constituents are my priority over all my Ministerial commitments, and if they raise issues with you, please tell them to contact me directly.”
But Mr Howgate said this week: “This is preposterous. We are talking about people who can’t read or write. Some don’t even know what day it is. Yet Mr. Benyon wants them to contact him personally.
“These people need someone like me to help them to fill in forms and put their case to Mr. Benyon, or a council official, because they don’t’ have the knowledge, experience or personal skills to do it themselves.”
In his email reply to Mr Benyon, a frustrated Mr Howgate said: “You will know that my contact with you is often in respect of crucial work that I do for the homeless, disadvantaged, deprived, and those forlorn people who are commonly illiterate, and with learning difficulties.
“They require advice and care on vital day-to-day survival matters, and need support to deal with anxiety problems over corresponding and communicating with people of importance or in authority, such as yourself.”
Mr Howgate added last night: “Many of the homeless and deprived are desperately trying to build a new life and are regularly attending churches in Newbury to get spiritual support.
“Richard Benyon’s decision to disconnect with me is a massive disappointment and effectively blunts the help that I can provide to disadvantaged and homeless people.”
When contacted, Mr Benyon said: “I and my office deal with housing-related issues, many of them relating to homelessness, on a weekly basis. We do so efficiently and with compassion.
“I recognise that some vulnerable people need assistance to get their concerns across. I, therefore, work with organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, churches, and other bodies as, and when, required.”
In addition to his professional administration work for the homeless and disadvantaged, Howgate is a team member at Loose Ends, a Newbury soup kitchen operation that provides hot meals, clothes, toiletry essentials, food to take away, plus social company and advice.
Loose Ends is funded by several local churches, together with personal donations, and grants from Newbury Town Council and Greenham Common Trust. Unpaid volunteers do the work.