Prince William spotted selling Big Issues in Tesco
King Charles, the prince’s father, appeared as a Big Issue cover star for his 75th birthday last month, as he launched a project to support food banks and reduce food waste.
Mr McNamee told the BBC that Christmas is a vital time for sellers and such royal endorsements “will help vendors, right at the sharp end”.
The recent cold weather saw emergency shelters being opened for rising numbers of rough sleepers.
Record numbers of households with children are now in temporary accommodation, according to recent government figures.
High rental costs and a shortage of housing have added to the pressures on those seeking housing.
“Homelessness is at a record high,” says Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, a charity which warns that “half of working private renters, 3.2 million adults, are only one pay cheque away from losing their home”.
