Covid-19 Lockdown: Homelessness and Rough Sleepers
Debate between Lord Polak and Lord McNicol of West Kilbride(4 years, 1 month ago)
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The Deputy Speaker (Lord McNicol of West Kilbride) (Lab)
May I gently remind noble Lords to keep their questions and answers brief? A number of noble Lords still wish to get in.
Lord Polak (Con)
I guess it is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise but on the critical issue of homelessness this Government, and specifically the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, together with my noble friend the Minister, ought to be congratulated. As has been said, early in the pandemic they launched the Everyone In project, backed up with £700 million. In addition, the recent announcement of the Protect programme, with a further £15 million, will ensure that councils can offer everyone sleeping rough somewhere safe to go. However, does my noble friend agree that it would be reprehensible if any council used that funding for people who are not sleeping rough?