Figures released on Christmas Day show that more than 10,000 LGBT people were made homeless in 2017. Out of 45,000 18-24 year-olds, data shows that over 25% of them identified as LGBT.

The figures were obtained by the Liberal Democrats under a freedom of information request. However, 100 local authorities did not provide the information meaning that the actual number of young homeless is actually much higher than the statistics demonstrate. The Albert Kennedy Trust, a charity working with LGBT people who are homeless, estimates that a quarter of all homeless people identify as LGBT.

Vince Cable, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, called the situation ‘a national scandal’ adding that ‘These figures reveal the hidden homelessness crisis affecting young people.’ Cable went on to say ‘The situation is being made worse by recent government decisions, stripping young people of housing benefit.’