Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lilian Greenwood and Kris Hopkins

Monday 15th December 2014 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

10. What assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) homelessness and (b) rough sleeping.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

Homelessness is lower now than in 27 of the last 30 years, and since this time last year we have seen a 38% decrease in the number of families in bed and breakfast for more than six weeks. This Government have supported innovation through the roll-out of No Second Night Out and StreetLink, which means that rough sleepers are being found more quickly and given the help they need to get them off the streets.

[Lilian Greenwood]

The Minister’s response is astonishing. Under this Government, we have seen disproportionate cuts to the Supporting People funding, the disappearance of street outreach workers and an increase in homelessness and rough sleeping of more than a third. The number of homeless families in Nottingham has risen by a quarter in the past year alone. What assurances can the Minister give me that the proposed review of exempt accommodation to be conducted jointly by his Department and the Department for Work and Pensions will not result in this disgraceful situation becoming even worse?