14. London
A number of different factors have seen poverty rise in England over the past decade. The global financial crisis pushed the government into enacting austerity whilst a host of jobs were lost when companies had to cut back on expenditure. A huge cut in housing benefit and welfare aid also meant the poorest in society got even less help from the state. This has led to a 26% increase in homelessness and tens of thousands of people depending on food banks in order to survive.
London has been one of the worst hit places, which comes as no surprise considering the expense of housing in the city. Official statistics reveal that there are currently more than 6,000 living rough on the streets of London and many more depending on shelters or hostels. The vast majority of these are men and many of them are below the age of 30.
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