Rough Sleeping 2024-04-22
2024-04-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to address the ongoing issue of rough sleeping in the UK, despite previous efforts.
What steps his Department is taking to end rough sleeping. The Government are committed to ending rough sleeping but have yet to achieve it, with levels remaining high and increasing pressures on homeless individuals.
The Government are committed to ending rough sleeping, having published a cross-government strategy in September 2022 and investing £2.4 billion over three years. Rough sleeping levels were 18% lower in 9/23 than at the peak in 2017 and 9% lower than pre-pandemic levels.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner sought specific actions to end rough sleeping, but the answer provided general commitments without concrete steps or mechanisms.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the failure of the Government and Department in meeting their commitments to end rough sleeping, highlighting an increase in numbers.
This Government has presided over failures regarding rough sleeping. Rough sleeping numbers are on the rise despite manifesto commitments. Instead of ending homelessness, the focus is on criminalising the homeless through legislation. When will leadership stand up against these plans within the Criminal Justice Bill?
This Government is committed to ending rough sleeping, investing £2.4 billion with a focus on prevention. The Criminal Justice Bill will not criminalise individuals for having nowhere to live; it prioritises outreach and support over criminalisation where behaviour causes damage, distress, harassment or disruption.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner sought commitment against harmful legislation but the answer provided general assurances without addressing the specific issue of opposing the Criminal Justice Bill's provisions directly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill that could criminalise rough sleepers.
Welcoming Government investment, does she agree that helping people off the streets is more important than risking their criminalisation through proposed legislation?
Welcoming Government investment, no one will be criminalised simply for sleeping rough. The focus is on helping the most vulnerable in society through a cross-government effort involving multiple Departments such as Education and Health and Social Care.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner sought agreement against criminalisation but received general assurances rather than specific commitments to prevent it.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the failure of Government policies in ending rough sleeping and proposes concrete actions to address homelessness.
With plans to criminalise rough sleepers, it is clear that the target for ending rough sleeping by 2024 will not be met. Rough sleeping remains visible with tragic consequences. Will Ministers end no-fault evictions and build homes for social rent at scale?
Abolishing section 21 and building affordable homes are Government priorities. Affordable homes, however, are not being built in London where the need is high.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner sought specific actions to address homelessness but received general commitments without addressing the scale or timelines for abolishing no-fault evictions and building affordable housing.
Response accuracy