The MP questioned the Government's lowered ambition and lack of leadership, citing a record high increase in young people sleeping rough. She highlighted concerns about cold weather funding reduction, night shelters' safety, no recourse to public funds policy changes leading to deportation, and urged for homeless veterans’ service records.

The MP welcomed the Protect programme initiative but urged for future funding allocations to ensure certainty for local authorities, mental health charities and agencies offering wraparound support.

I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Bristol West on securing this urgent question. This feels like groundhog day, with the Government yet again in the spotlight for their decision to withdraw prematurely the protections and support for the most vulnerable people during a second wave of covid. In recent weeks, they have had to U-turn on providing free school meals and on extending furlough. I rather suspect that, quite soon, they will have to U-turn on providing more support for people who have been left homeless. Thankfully, in Scotland, we have a Government with a bit more foresight than this bungling British Government, who reek of incompetence and chaos every single day. The SNP Government in Scotland have extended the ban on evictions until March, and we have committed to looking to extend that further to September if the evidence shows a clear need. Will the Minister do likewise? I am appalled by the reports that the British Government plan to deport non-UK nationals who are sleeping rough. That is a totally inhumane policy, devoid of any compassion and fairness, even by this Conservative Government’s standards. Will they now urgently reinstate the pause on asylum evictions so that communities and individuals who we know are at greater risk of covid-19 are not put at increased risk? Finally, has the Minister’s Department ever received any advice from Public Health England or, indeed, health directors about the risks to black and minority ethnic people being left homeless? If so, will she publish it? If not, why has she not commissioned it?

I welcome the measures and the very significant funding that the Minister has announced today. Does she agree that it is important to take the same kind of approach as that taken by Rugby Borough Council through its preventing homelessness and improving lives programme? That has made a tremendous difference to local families at risk of homelessness through early intervention by a dedicated support team, working with those who are vulnerable to prepare a plan to avoid a crisis situation later.

First, congratulations are due on the efforts that were made to get rough sleepers off the streets from March onwards. Great work was done by councils with voluntary organisations and with good support financially from the Government as well. The real pressure on councils now, I am told by my own city of Sheffield, is from people presenting as homeless from the private rented sector. An increase has led Sheffield City Council, which is very good at dealing with these matters, to have 80 families now in hotels and another 200 in temporary accommodation. That will cost the council around £500,000 extra in this financial year. If dealing with homelessness has to be a priority for councils, which certainly it should be, will the Minister make it a priority for Government to make sure that councils have the extra resources they need directly to continue delivering the services that people in the private rented sector will need in the coming, very trying months?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on her appointment and on attending the all-party parliamentary group for ending homelessness within days and answering our questions. I also congratulate the Government on a brilliant job in pulling rough sleepers off the streets and putting them into secure accommodation. As my hon. Friend rightly says, the problem now is that every case of homelessness is a unique one. Many people who have been rough sleeping have physical and mental health problems, and they are also probably addicted to drink, drugs or other substances, so it is vital that we roll out the Housing First initiative from the pilot sites throughout the country and also fully fund my Homelessness Reduction Act when the funding for it comes to an end. Will she therefore commit to rolling out Housing First across the country and to ensuring that local authorities are fully funded for their duties under my Act?

A street homelessness reduction programme is not world leading if the numbers sleeping rough on our streets are rising. It is shocking that the number of young people sleeping rough on our streets is now at a record high. What will the Minister do to ensure that homelessness prevention services offer appropriate support to young people with particular needs, such as young prison leavers?

I welcome the Government’s commitment to £311,000 for the borough of Gedling for local secure-accommodation schemes for people at risk of sleeping on the street. Does my hon. Friend agree that this funding is a significant step forward towards fulfilling our manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping by 2024? Will she join me in thanking all those in Gedling who have worked so hard to get vulnerable people into safe, secure accommodation?

The Government’s decision to bring forward the eviction ban was welcome, but it is not working. Will the Minister outline what steps the Government will take to ensure that the ban is properly enforced?

The Government have supported 29,000 people this year to achieve their ambition of ending rough sleeping by the end of Parliament. Will my hon. Friend commit to ensuring that those who have been helped will continue to get support?

How will the Secretary of State keep his promise that no one will lose their home due to a drop in income because of covid? Will he raise local housing allowance so that nobody finds it less than the rent they owe?

Will the Minister reassure me that veterans continue to have priority need to keep them off the streets? Will local authorities have the resources to give them a home they deserve?

Why does the Minister think there has been a 78% increase in homeless children since 2010? What is causing this issue?

How is the support from local government trickling down to charities like YMCA Lincolnshire? Can we empower and support charities more during a pandemic?

The enforced evictions guidance does not protect against bailiffs despite Government asking bailiffs to hold fire. Will the Minister commit to banning evictions through legislation and increasing funding for local authority discretionary housing payments?

Is it just sad when we see homelessness and rough sleeping on our streets? Dorset Council has reduced rough sleeping by 39% up until 2019, while Bristol City Council saw an increase of 20%. Should the shadow Secretary of State ask questions of her own Labour-run Bristol City Council?

As chair of the all-party parliamentary dog advisory welfare group, I have been contacted by Dogs on the Streets to discuss challenges faced by homeless people with pets. Will the Minister meet me and Dogs on the Streets to explore options?

What steps is my hon. Friend taking to increase housing availability for people currently experiencing homelessness, given the 2019 report on short-term shelters and the sharp rise in homelessness before covid?

What advice does the Minister give to homeless individuals who are being housed through public funds in relation to their immigration status?

Can the Minister reaffirm her commitment to work with the West Midlands Combined Authority, particularly Andy Street and his homelessness taskforce, which has seen year-on-year decreases in rough sleepers?

Given the 2019 statistic that one in 46 people were homeless in Redbridge, can the Minister ensure a permanent end to rough sleeping once lockdown ends?

How many additional homes does the Government intend to fund by the end of this Parliament for individuals at risk of rough sleeping?

Does the Minister agree that her Government should look at the link between homelessness, rough sleeping and how children are treated in care in this country?

Does the Minister agree that investment in preventive work is key to making lasting change for people coming off the streets?

Can the Minister confirm whether funding from the Protect programme can be used to help those sleeping rough who have no recourse to public funds?

Can the Minister use her good offices to ensure that money goes directly to frontline services quickly in two-tier areas?

Welcomes the Minister to her post but criticises the high turnover of Ministers in this position. Acknowledges Government's efforts but raises concerns about hidden homelessness, families struggling due to housing issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Proposes a housing market package for hard-to-sell properties.

Thank the Government for supporting 29,000 people who have been rough sleeping this year alone. Acknowledges local charities in her constituency working tirelessly to support rough sleepers.

Questions whether permanent funding can be provided to end homelessness, suggesting that it should not just be an emergency response but a year-round commitment. Criticises spending on covid contracts for friends and family of the Conservative party.

Acknowledges progress in Cornwall to combat homelessness and rough sleeping but emphasises the need for long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Mentions £5.5 million provided by the Government since September.