Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps she has taken to help support Slough Borough Council to provide adequate temporary accommodation to people who are eligible.

Homelessness levels are far too high which can have a devastating impact on those affected. The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased funding will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26, a record level of funding.

In December, MHCLG announced that £633.2 million will be provided to councils in England through the Homelessness Prevention Grant 25/26, of which £2,538,151 has been allocated to Slough Borough Council. This funding represents an uplift of £1,184,119 for Slough compared with 24/25 allocations, an increase of 87.5%.

MHCLG’s homelessness advice and support team continue to work closely with local authorities under the highest pressures, including to develop B&B elimination plans, to reduce households being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks.