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Indian economy seen 'shrinking 12 per cent in April-June'

THE INDIAN economy is likely to register a 12 per cent contraction in the June quarter of fiscal year 2021-22, against a 23.9 per cent decrease in the same quarter previous year, according to a brokerage report.

The imposition of lockdowns by states during April-May to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic may trigger this fall, Swiss brokerage UBS Securities India said.


India's economy witnessed its worst contraction in fiscal year 2021 at 7.3 per cent following an unprecedented lockdown of more than two months that crippled the economy.

With a 12 percentage point reduction, India is likely to miss a sharp V-shaped recovery, unlike last year when the national lockdown was lifted, the brokerage said.

Consumer sentiment is weak as people are more worried about the pandemic this year than last year, it said.

The brokerage expects a sequential recovery in economic activity from June; however, it may gain strength only from the second half, when the vaccination drive may pick up pace.

The vaccination drive has improved in India to 3.2 million doses daily in the week to June 13 from 2.5 million in May.

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2.7 per cent of private rented properties in England are affordable for people receiving housing benefit.

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

Highlights

  • 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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