Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rough Sleeping

Monday 22 April 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government published a cross-government strategy in September 2022 to end rough sleeping and have invested 2.4 billion over three years.
  • Rough sleeping levels were 18% lower in September 2023 compared to the peak in 2017 and 9% lower than pre-pandemic levels.
  • The Criminal Justice Bill aims to prioritise outreach and support over criminalisation for rough sleepers, focusing on behaviour causing damage or distress.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Quince Con
Housing
Context

The question arises from the need to address the ongoing issue of rough sleeping in the UK, despite previous efforts.

Question

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.

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought specific actions to end rough sleeping, but the answer provided general commitments without concrete steps or mechanisms.

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Q2 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Crime & Law Enforcement Housing
Context

The question addresses the failure of the Government and Department in meeting their commitments to end rough sleeping, highlighting an increase in numbers.

Question

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?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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Q3 Will Quince Con
Justice & Courts Housing
Context

The question arises from concerns about proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill that could criminalise rough sleepers.

Question

Welcoming Government investment, does she agree that helping people off the streets is more important than risking their criminalisation through proposed legislation?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought agreement against criminalisation but received general assurances rather than specific commitments to prevent it.

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Q4 Mike Amesbury Lab
Housing
Context

The question addresses the failure of Government policies in ending rough sleeping and proposes concrete actions to address homelessness.

Question

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?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

Abolishing section 21 and building affordable homes are Government priorities. Affordable homes, however, are not being built in London where the need is high.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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