All 2 Debates between Marcus Jones and Kate Osamor

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Kate Osamor
Monday 21st March 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Marcus Jones Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Marcus Jones)
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The Government have announced the biggest ever cut in business rates in England, worth £6.7 billion over five years. We are permanently doubling small business rate relief and increasing the thresholds. I am sure that that will help many of the small businesses in Torquay and in Paignton that my hon. Friend sets out his stall to support on an ongoing basis.

Kate Osamor Portrait Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op)
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T7. The financial cost of homelessness is going up to nearly £1 billion. Research from the charity Crisis has shown that tackling single homelessness early could save the Government between £3,000 and £18,000 for each person they help. What work are the Government doing with charities such as Crisis?

Marcus Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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We are working across Government with Crisis and a number of other homelessness charities, and with local authorities, because we absolutely recognise that preventing people from becoming homeless is the key to this issue. I hope to come forward in the not too distant future with announcements to tackle this important issue.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Marcus Jones and Kate Osamor
Monday 14th September 2015

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Marcus Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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My hon. Friend is right. Statutory homelessness is now lower than in 26 of the last 30 years and less than half of what it was at its peak under the last Labour Government.

Kate Osamor Portrait Kate Osamor (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op)
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20. Homeless people are 13 times more likely to be victims of crime than the general public and are more likely to suffer from serious health problems. Will the Minister explain his plans for the future of the homelessness prevention grant?

Marcus Jones Portrait Mr Jones
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I welcome the hon. Lady to the House. As she has identified, the homelessness prevention grant has been powerful in that councils have been able to use it to stop people becoming homeless. She will be glad to know that we are considering the future of the grant in the context of the upcoming spending review.