The mayor of Greater Manchester says news that Brexit commemorative coins will be melted down is 'hard to stomach' in light of the difficulties in funding a scheme to provide shelter for rough sleepers.
Andy Burnham described plans to recycle the 50p coins dated October 31, after a new deadline of January 31 was agreed with the EU, as 'nonsense'.
He said he was 'entitled to call it out' given the challenges of funding the .
Since its launch in November 2018, more than 2,200 people have been given temporary accommodation through the region-wide initiative, which aims to give rough sleepers food and somewhere safe to sleep.
It is funded by local authorities, as well as charitable donations, while Mr Burnham donates 15 per cent of his salary every month.
He Tweeted: "Hard to stomach news like this when we’re struggling to fund our #BedEveryNight scheme for people sleeping rough. British politics has lost the plot".
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In response to a message asking why he didn't make space available for rough sleepers in local government offices, he added: "GM is rallying round on homelessness with the support of @VincentKompany @thecourteeners, our fire service, 10 councils & many others.
"I donate 15% of my salary every month. That’s why we’re fully entitled to call out nonsense like this".
A Bed Every Night has received financial support from former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who donated the proceeds from his testimonial to the Mayor's homelessness fund, while earlier this year the Courteeners headlined a concert in aid of the scheme.
A number of restaurants have also signed up to an initiative which saw £1 added to every customer's bill with all proceeds to the cause.
Up to 10 million new coins were reportedly being made ready for this month's Brexit deadline.
Now the Treasury says a new coin will be produced, which will go into circulation after Britain's departure from the EU.
The coins will carry the words "Friendship with all nations", but will be stamped with a new departure date - currently set to be January 31, 2020.
