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Ashok Leyland to 'reconfigure' the company for sustainable growth, says chairman

Ashok Leyland chairman Dheeraj G Hinduja has said that the company is re-examining the business and operating models in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and is looking to 'reconfigure' the Hinduja group firm for sustainable growth.

Addressing the shareholders, Hinduja added that the long-term outlook for the commercial vehicle sector continues to remain positive.


He revealed that the company has taken a series of initiatives which are aimed at minimising the adverse impact of economic cycles.

"The current market situation is the right time for Indian companies like Ashok Leyland to move, without inhibition and seek a global position by showcasing the company's manufacturing prowess and demonstrate the products of global standards of quality and reliability," said Hinduja.

"With the upcoming light commercial vehicle range of products, the company was ready to expand its presence in the country and overseas."

He stressed on the importance of the defence sector for the company and said that the pandemic had an 'debilitating effect' on all sectors of the economy.

Recently, Ashok Leyland introduced a modular truck platform AVTR for medium and heavy range for the first time alongside the introduction of BS-VI emission technology.

The chairman said that the company is all set to introduce 'game-changer' in-house developed new light commercial vehicle range.

The company is making inroads in the electric vehicles segment with buses in the Indian market and through the Optare range of products in London.

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Nearly 300,000 families face worst forms of homelessness in England, research shows

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  • 299,100 households experienced acute homelessness in 2024, up 21 per cent since 2022.
  • Rough sleeping and unsuitable temporary accommodation cases increased by 150 per cent since 2020.
  • Councils spent £732 m on unsuitable emergency accommodation in 2023/24.


Almost 300,000 families and individuals across England are now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, unsuitable temporary accommodation and living in tents, according to new research from Crisis.

The landmark study, led by Heriot-Watt University, shows that 299,100 households in England experienced acute homelessness in 2024. This represents a 21 per cent increase since 2022, when there were 246,900 households, and a 45 per cent increase since 2012.

More than 15,000 people slept rough last year, while the number of households in unsuitable temporary accommodation rose from 19,200 in 2020 to 46,700 in 2024. An additional 18,600 households are living in unconventional accommodation such as cars, sheds and tents.

A national survey found 70 per cent of councils have seen increased numbers approaching them for homelessness assistance in the last year. Local authorities in London and Northern England reported the biggest increase.

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