Homeless Children Bed-and-Breakfast Accommodation 2023-03-27
2023-03-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent of the MP has been living in a Travelodge for seven months, including an autistic child who is distressed by room changes. The number of families staying in B&Bs for over six weeks in London has increased 180%.
What steps are being taken to reduce the number of homeless children placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation? My constituent has been stuck in a Travelodge for seven months with his wife, who is a wheelchair user, and two sons. One son is autistic and has become increasingly distressed at constantly changing rooms. The number of families living in B&Bs for more than six weeks has increased by 180% in London.
The Government have been clear that long-term use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation for families with children is inappropriate and unlawful. We will continue to work with local authorities to limit its use, giving them £654 million through the homelessness prevention grant for 2023 to 2025. There are currently 1,200 families in B&Bs for over six weeks; we consider this inappropriate. We have made it clear that B&Bs are a last resort and an interim measure.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to uprating local housing allowance at least by the rate of inflation
We Will Continue To Work With Local Authorities
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of families living in B&Bs for more than six weeks has increased by 180% in London. The local housing allowance needs to be uprated at least by the rate of inflation.
What steps are being taken to reduce the number of homeless children placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation? My constituent has been stuck in a Travelodge for seven months with his wife, who is a wheelchair user, and two sons. One son is autistic and has become increasingly distressed at constantly changing rooms. The number of families living in B&Bs for more than six weeks has increased by 180% in London.
I am sorry to hear about the circumstances of the hon. Member's constituent, and I am happy to talk in detail. There are currently 1,200 families in B&B accommodation for over six weeks. As I have said, we think that is inappropriate. We have made it clear to local authorities that B&Bs are a last resort, and they are an interim measure to more stable accommodation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to uprating local housing allowance at least by the rate of inflation
We Have Made It Clear That B&Bs Are A Last Resort
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Since 2011, the number of children in temporary accommodation has risen to over 120,000. Thousands of children are stuck in B&Bs for longer than six weeks.
What steps is the Government taking to address the rising numbers of homeless children in temporary accommodation? Every year since 2011, the number of children in temporary accommodation has risen—we are talking about well over 120,000 children without a home to call their own. Thousands of children are stuck in bed and breakfasts for longer than six weeks.
Homelessness and rough sleeping is one of the biggest priorities of this Government. We are devoting £2 billion over three years to alleviate homelessness and rough sleeping. The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 has helped prevent homelessness for half a million people since it came into effect, with £366 million spent on the homelessness prevention grant in the current year and £654 million over the next two years.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions to reduce numbers of homeless children in temporary accommodation
We Are Committed To Getting People Out Of Temporary Accommodation
Response accuracy