What Brighton does today, Britain does tomorrow. Never was this more true than with The Argus Don't Give to Beggars campaign.

Within a few days of the launch six weeks ago, it was backed by Louise Casey, the Government's homeless tsar.

Now the Government itself is launching an alternative giving scheme with the backing of top ministers such as Mo Mowlam and Hilary Armstrong, There has been strong support from those who work with homeless people and the public for our campaign.

But a minority of people have attacked it for being unfair to beggars. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The whole aim of the campaign is to help beggars. That won't be done if people give them cash and they immediately spend it on fuelling their drug habit.

It doesn't happen in every case but it occurs often enough for this to be a real problem. How much better to donate cash to agencies who really know what they are doing.

They can, and do, provide warmth, shelter and food for people who would otherwise be on the streets.

The agencies also offer real practical help for people who have reached rock bottom. They can rebuild lives by weaning them off any addiction and dealing with serious problems such as poor mental health.

We are at one with the Prime Minister in wanting to see an end to the twin scourges of begging and homelessness.

There's no need for anyone to be living on the streets today. That's what our campaign and the Government's are all about.