Context
Cornwall faces high levels of child poverty, with more than 700 children living in temporary accommodation. Only 1.4% of homes are affordable to families receiving the local housing allowance.
Question
Child poverty cannot be tackled if children have nowhere safe to live. One of the most shameful legacies of the last Tory Government was Cornwall being left with more than 700 children living in temporary accommodation, while only 1.4% of homes are now affordable to families receiving the local housing allowance. What assessment has the Minister made of the extent to which that shortfall in affordable homes is driving child poverty rates even higher, and what urgent steps will he take to reverse it?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Andrew Western)
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the appalling living standards and conditions in which some children—and, indeed, some members of the broader population—find themselves living. My advice to any Liberal Democrat Member would of course be to stop blocking the homes that we so desperately need. Let me also remind the hon. Gentleman that this Government have invested £39 billion in the delivery of social and affordable homes, because, unlike the Liberal Democrats, the Labour party is determined to tackle the housing crisis and to “build, baby, build”.
Not addressed: The specific assessment requested about how a lack of affordable homes impacts child poverty rates was not directly addressed.
How: Blocking, Partisan Critique
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