Homelessness: Rough Sleepers

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Wednesday 27th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Peston]

My Lords—

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

This side!

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

As the Poles have a marvellous reputation for being hard working, I am surprised that this issue is related particularly to Polish people. Does the Minister agree that a good many shelters are provided for the homeless in London, even in central London? I have been involved with some myself through charity. Does the Minister think that one of the big problems with a lot of homeless sleepers is their additional problems, and that it is not just about being short of money? Some have drug or alcohol problems, or some illness. Does she not think it important that these things should be available to people so that they can be dealt with in rehabilitation, even here, before they go back to their own countries?

[Baroness Hanham]

Yes, my noble friend raises an interesting point because a number of people who sleep rough have additional problems, such as mental health or alcohol problems. It is very important that when they are being helped to reconnect, those services are reconnected as well. There are organisations that do that, and if UK nationals are involved we ensure that they receive the services that they need.