The government proposes to make squatting a criminal act rather than a civil offence. But with 700,000 empty homes in the UK, and an increasing homelessness problem, is there an argument that squatting is justified?
Some 40% of homeless people avoid sleeping rough by staying in disused buildings, according to the housing charity Crisis.
Katherine lives in a squat in Hackney, east London. Unable to rent, as she cannot raise enough money for a deposit, she explains how squatting is her only alternative to sleeping rough.
Oliver Cockerell's new home in West Hampstead, north London, was squatted while builders were renovating. He tells Hugh how has had to spend thousands on evicting the squatters and repairing their damage.
To discuss the implications of the proposed ban on squatting, Hugh is joined by investigative journalist Shiv Malik; a Conservative councillor for Hammersmith and Fulham, Harry Phibbs; and from Squash, a squatters' action group, we have Rueben Taylor.
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