Children: Temporary Accommodation

Baroness Hussein-Ece Excerpts

Monday 11th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston]

There is no evidence at this time to suggest that what the noble Baroness asserts is the case. I emphasise the amount of funding that has been specifically set aside both for the areas where rent increases are causing a shortage of affordable housing and for all areas to help people transition and deal with the different welfare reform changes.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)]

Can the Minister give the House an indication of the number of local authorities and families involved in breaching the six-week rule?

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston]

This is an area where we have focused quite a lot of effort. We have increased transparency by publishing information about the performance of all authorities in this regard, and we have provided £2 million for the seven councils with the highest numbers of families in bed-and-breakfast accommodation to support them in reducing those numbers. Westminster and Croydon are two examples of local authorities that we have worked with, and they have now reduced to zero the number of families staying in bed-and-breakfast accommodation beyond six weeks.