Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Homelessness Reduction

Monday 2 December 2024 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Homelessness funding is increasing by 233 million for 2025-26, bringing the total spend to nearly 1 billion.
  • An additional 10 million has been provided to local authorities to address rough sleeping pressures this winter.
  • The Government is focusing on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, and is tackling the root causes through an inter-departmental taskforce chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Housing
Context

The question arises from ongoing efforts to address the issue of homelessness, particularly the initiatives and challenges faced by local councils.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support councils in reducing homelessness?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

We are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness. Funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million, taking the total spend to almost £1 billion in 2025-26. We are also abolishing no-fault evictions and will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable house building in a generation.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South
Housing
Context

There has been a significant increase in homelessness in Blackpool, highlighting the need for additional support from the government.

Question

Over the past two years, we have witnessed a staggering 50% increase in homelessness in Blackpool. What steps will the Minister take to support and strengthen local efforts to ensure immediate relief and long-term solutions?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

This Government have already made £10 million of additional funding available to local authorities, including Blackpool, to tackle rough sleeping pressures this winter. The £547 million rough sleeping initiative will continue to support local authorities across England by funding tailored rough sleeping services, which includes funding of £313,000 for Blackpool borough council in 2024-25.

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Q3 Steve Race Lab Exeter
Housing Local Government
Context

The removal of the ringfence around homelessness funding due to the Localism Act has led to concerns about council spending priorities.

Question

As a result of the Localism Act 2011, introduced by the Conservative party, the ringfence around homelessness funding was removed. The Tory-led Devon county council is consulting on cutting its entire homelessness support budget. Does the Minister agree that councils should invest money in homelessness services?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

We are absolutely focused on tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, and their root causes. The previous Government left local authorities in a dire condition. The autumn Budget announced £4 billion of additional funding for local authorities and services, and funding for homelessness services is increasing next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement regarding Devon county council's budget cuts

How: Look Into The Points My Hon. Friend Raises

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Q4 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Housing
Context

The question concerns the Department's initiatives to address underlying causes of homelessness, such as domestic violence and substance misuse.

Question

Although in my constituency we have the City of Wolverhampton council's homelessness prevention strategy, last week I was contacted by a constituent fleeing domestic violence. Will the Minister confirm how her Department is helping councils deal with societal and economic issues causing homelessness?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

My hon. Friend raises really important issues about how multiple underlying causes can drive people into homelessness. We are determined to tackle the root causes, which is why the Deputy Prime Minister is chairing the inter-departmental taskforce on homelessness and rough sleeping. The previous Labour Government took action, and cut homelessness and rough sleeping.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for addressing domestic violence and substance misuse in Wolverhampton

How: Determined To Tackle The Underlying Issues

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Q5 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
Housing Local Government
Context

Financial constraints faced by Wokingham borough council are impacting efforts to reduce homelessness.

Question

Wokingham borough council is under intense financial pressure, making the crucial task of reducing homelessness a significant challenge. Will the Minister meet me and the leader and chief executive of our council?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

I am aware that the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton (Jim McMahon), has already met the hon. Gentleman, but I am happy to look at the specific issues he raises in relation to homelessness.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment for a meeting with Wokingham borough council

How: Already Met, Look At Specific Issues

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Q6 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Rural areas are experiencing a rise in homelessness, partly due to high house prices relative to local incomes.

Question

Rural homelessness has risen by 40% in just the last five years. Does the Minister agree that we need to give planning powers to local authorities and national parks?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

We have an ambitious plan for affordable and social housing, which fits within the Government's commitment to build 1.5 million homes. We are putting in funding, including £500 million for the affordable homes programme, which will build 5,000 properties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement on planning powers for local authorities and national parks

How: Ambitious Plan, Fundings

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Q7 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Housing
Context

Nutrient neutrality, flood risk, and the national shortage of planners are preventing or delaying the construction of 18,000 homes with planning permission across Somerset.

Question

Some 18,000 homes with planning permission across Somerset are waiting to be built, but nutrient neutrality issues, flood risk and the national shortage of planners are preventing or delaying the delivery of those much-needed homes. What discussions has the Minister had with Cabinet colleagues about fixing the issue and ensuring that appropriate homes are built to help reduce the strain caused by the lack of housing in Somerset?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

I can reassure the hon Lady that the Government are addressing those issues and will take appropriate action. My right hon Friend the Secretary of State and other Ministers are very much engaged with this important agenda.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timelines for resolving nutrient neutrality, flood risk, and planner shortages

How: Reassurance Without Specifics

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Q8 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Taxation Housing
Context

Homelessness is projected to rise by 27% this year. National insurance increases are causing financial losses for homeless charities, with 110 charities warning about a £50 million to £60 million loss and Homeless Link describing the increase as 'the final nail in the coffin'.

Question

Sadly, homelessness is projected to rise by 27% this year. The Government's broken promise on national insurance rises has wreaked havoc across the charitable sector, with 110 national homelessness charities warning the Chancellor that £50 million to £60 million will be lost in the sector and Homeless Link calling the increase 'the final nail in the coffin' for the sector. Will the Minister listen to that warning, and what will she be doing to convey these concerns to the Chancellor and change this disastrous policy?

Answer from Rushanara Ali

I welcome the shadow Minister to his position. May I remind him of the record of his party in government? In those 14 years, 123,000 households, including 150,000 children, were living in temporary accommodation—not to mention the scandal of rough sleeping and the deaths caused by that Government's neglect. We are investing to tackle those issues and the mess that the hon Gentleman's party left behind. We have already announced £233 million in the Budget; Conservative Members need to decide whether to back us on the investment we are making to clean up the mess that he and they have left behind.

Not addressed: Did not address concerns about national insurance rises or listen to charity warnings, instead criticised previous government's record on homelessness

How: Criticising Opposition

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