Homelessness Prevention 2025-07-14
2025-07-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of people in the UK with no recourse to public funds has increased, leading many to fall through the system and potentially end up rough sleeping or engaging in antisocial behaviour.
Patrick Hurley noted that individuals without recourse to public funds often face bureaucratic challenges that leave them unsupported. He asked what steps are being taken by the Department to prevent people with no recourse to public funds from ending up in a limbo situation and to address homelessness effectively.
Rushanara Ali stated that migrants should maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds. She encouraged councils to exhaust all options when working with individuals who have restricted eligibility for public funds. Additionally, she highlighted that funding from the rough sleeping prevention and recovery grant can be used to help anyone as long as actions comply with the law.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
London boroughs are currently spending £4 million a day on temporary accommodation, facing increased costs and rough sleeping rates while central government subsidy has been frozen for 14 years.
Dr Huq highlighted the daily expenditure of London boroughs on temporary accommodation and questioned whether the Government’s cap should be lifted to provide financial support for local councils tackling homelessness.
Rushanara Ali mentioned that the Department for Work and Pensions reviews the level of housing benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation regularly. Any future decisions will be informed by the Government’s wider housing ambitions, including tackling homelessness, as well as the broader fiscal context.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Homelessness is a significant issue in the Cherwell district council area, with high housing costs leading to difficulties in finding social and affordable homes.
Calum Miller expressed concern about the potential decrease of 42% in net resources available to his local council due to proposed changes in business rates. He asked if there will be protected support for tackling homelessness included in the fair funding review.
Rushanara Ali reminded Calum Miller that they inherited a homelessness crisis with record numbers in temporary accommodation. She highlighted rough sleeping has increased by 164% since 2010 but noted the previous Labour government significantly reduced homelessness and rough sleeping rates.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether there will be protected support for tackling homelessness in the fair funding review, instead referencing historical contexts.
Referencing Past Achievements
Response accuracy