• NEW Horizon Youth Centre should be congratulated for bringing businesses and community groups around King’s Cross together in 10 days of action on youth homelessness.

Young people are under-represented in homelessness figures because they are less likely to be visible in the early hours when counts take place.

Those figures determine funding so youth homelessness services are comparatively under-resourced. But the queues for New Horizon’s excellent support services show the true level of need.

Many will have difficulties in their lives and pasts but most are hard-working and ambitious. Their needs are different from the older population and there must be focused provision.

We must as a society nurture these young people and launch them in life. By bringing so many organisations and people together New Horizon has shown the path. As they say, we must all continue to do, donate and discuss.

MATTHEW KIRK
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Holborn and St Pancras