Homelessness

Baroness Laing of Elderslie Excerpts

Wednesday 14th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Carolyn Harris]

I certainly do agree with my hon. Friend and I will come to that in a moment.

Right across Wales, the intention is to reduce homelessness by utilising both the private and social housing sectors. The commitment from the Welsh Government has been to fund proactive schemes to prevent homelessness. My local authority is a pioneer in this area. Between 2015 and 2016, more than 7,000 households were threatened with impending homelessness, but the Welsh Government were able to prevent 65% of them from becoming homeless. That proves that local authorities such as mine, and others right across Wales, are working with the Welsh Government to understand and tackle the problem. Maybe it is time the Westminster Government took a leaf out of the Welsh Government and Welsh local authorities’ “How to Tackle Homelessness” book.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

I call Chris Elmore. [Interruption.]

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Nicholas Brown (Newcastle upon Tyne East) (Lab)]

claimed to move the closure (Standing Order No. 36).

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

I hear the Opposition Chief Whip asking whether the Question might now be put, but I think he was just pipped to the post by the Minister concluding and sitting down.

[Mr Jones]

Madam Deputy Speaker, I beg to move that—

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing)]

No, the Minister had perfectly discharged his duty, so there is no necessity for the Question on the closure to be put. I shall put the Question.

Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), that the original words stand part of the Question.