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Homelessness: Funding
02 December 2025
Lead MP
Bob Blackman
Harrow East
Con
Responding Minister
Alison McGovern
Tags
Housing
Word Count: 13979
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Bob Blackman raised concerns about homelessness: funding in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government needs to set out a clear direction in its homelessness strategy and make serious reform to funding models to address major drivers of homelessness. The strategy should prioritize prevention and securing stable housing with support as quickly as possible.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Homelessness is rising in England; in 2024, 300,000 individuals and families experienced severe homelessness, a 22% increase from 2022. Homeless Link estimates that 8,732 people were rough sleeping in June 2025, up by 5%. London Councils reports that the capital accounts for over half of all homeless households living in temporary accommodation in England.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Supported long-term sustainable funding for organisations like Caritas, which provided homeless support to over 1,000 people in his constituency last year.
Alison McGovern
Lab
Wirral South
Stated that the Government had invested £39 billion in social and affordable housing to tackle homelessness.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
In Birmingham, more than 25,000 families are currently on the housing register, with around 10,000 children living in temporary accommodation. He highlights the need for ringfenced funding and asks why his constituency did not receive Pride in Place funding despite high deprivation indices. Asked about the possibility of addressing homelessness through wealth taxes.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Committed that local authorities have a duty to assist veterans who put their lives on the line for this country under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
As a former homelessness charity outreach worker, he echoes the importance of Housing First. He also discusses the costs associated with temporary accommodation and the impact on families' schooling. Asked about the shadow Minister's point regarding councils being penalised under the unfair funding model.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
Highlights the worsening state of homelessness since the last debate, criticises delays in publishing a national strategy promised by the Government's manifesto. The figure of 126,040 households represents a 15.7% increase on 023 and highlights the need for the Government to rethink their policy for local government.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Highlights the lack of affordable homes, noting that many families cannot get a mortgage due to house prices in Northern Ireland. He mentions the high demand for social housing and the need for more funding.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Described the challenges faced by families in temporary accommodation in Oldham, highlighting the poor quality of housing provided and its impact on children's education and well-being. Mentioned the dire state of temporary accommodation for homeless people.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Echoes the comments about veterans and highlights funding issues in Northern Ireland, noting that there are more than 1,233 households presenting as homeless in Ards and North Down. He asks for stronger and more consistent support through fairer and more responsive Barnett consequentials.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Called attention to Liverpool's expenditure of £25 million on housing 1,700 people in temporary accommodation and advocated for more support from the revenue support grant.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
Raises awareness about Doncaster Housing for Young People, which supports vulnerable young adults at risk of homelessness. He highlights the importance of a stable home environment as the foundation for recovery from trauma and illness.
Naushabah Khan
Lab
Gillingham and Rainham
Called for long-term, sustainable funding for homelessness prevention, highlighting the importance of an integrated Housing First approach and addressing the local housing allowance issue.
Patrick Hurley
Lab
Southport
The latest data shows thousands of people sleeping rough and a 5% rise in rough sleeping between June last year and this June. Temporary accommodation has reached record highs, with nearly half of homelessness services at risk of closure due to underfunding and public sector cuts.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Stressed the importance of Housing First and retrofitting hostels for single-based units. Highlighted issues with local housing allowance and called for rent controls to address unsustainable housing costs.
Rachel Blake
Lab/Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
Discussed the high cost of temporary accommodation in London, mentioning £5 million daily expenditure by London boroughs and £95 million spent by Westminster city council on temporary accommodation.
Tiverton and Minehead
Rural homelessness is a unique challenge less visible than urban homelessness. In Tiverton and Minehead, 30% of people became homeless due to family or friends not being able or willing to provide accommodation. There are around 28,000 homeless people in rural parts of the country, with an increase of 40% at the end of 2023.
Steve Race
Lab
Exeter
Discussed the rising homelessness in Exeter, highlighting the complex factors driving it and the impact of budget cuts by Devon county council.
Government Response
Alison McGovern
The Minister for Local Government and Homelessness
Government Response
Welcomed contributions from Members on both sides of the House. Announced plans to publish the homelessness strategy before Christmas, after cross-party work with hon. Members. Mentioned ending the two-child limit in the Budget, which will benefit many children living in poverty and temporary accommodation. Discussed the investment of over £1 billion to address homelessness, the abolition of no-fault evictions through the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.