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Urgent Question re rough sleeping during the second English lockdown. Minister (Kelly Tohurst) relies on the "Protect" programme (£15m of cash for most hard pressed areas) on top of £10m available for all authorities.
Claims "Everyone In" helped 29,000 people. Which is odd given the gov rough sleeping stats usually put rough sleeping numbers at around 4,000 in England. That difference needs greater analysis once the pandemic has passed
Relies again on Sch.29, Coronavirus Act 2020 - but, of course, that only relates to notice periods. Now confirms that the gov has asked bailiffs not to carry out evictions except in most serious cases
Now @ThangamMP for the opposition. Points to the enormous increase in rough sleeping. Points out that £15m is only for 10 councils and therefore inadequate. Draws attention to the changes in the Immigration Rules relating to deporting homeless people.
Finally, asks Minister why the Renters Reform Bill is still not making any progress.
Minister replies that £700m has been spent on homelessness support this year. Denies that lots of people have returned to the streets.
Minister replies that £700m has been spent on homelessness support this year. Denies that lots of people have returned to the streets.
Says that Gov spent the summer working with local authroities on the plans for once "Everyone In" ended (that might come as news to my LA followers!)
The rules on eligibility have not changed (I know! The failure to change s.185 HA 1996 is what scares me about the gov response). The suggestion seems to be that the Care Act 2014 can be used. Sure, but not to address homelessness per se.
Claims rough sleepers will not be deported - but that is not what the new immigration rules say
Minister sits down. Mary Robinson (C-Cheadle) asks about long term solutions and praises the "housing first" trial in Manchester and asks that future housing funding be brought forward (always helpful, but just means funding shortfall in later years)
Minister praises "Housing First" but doesn't answer the funding question. David Linden (SNP) now speaking. Tthis feels like groundhog day as we had this debate during the last lockdown. Praises the SNP gov in Scotland (I don't know the position in Scotland - different laws)
Minister says Gov has provided massive support for homelessness during the pandemic and developed detailed plans for next steps. Minister claims not to be supporting EU nationals who sleep rough. Doesn't answer really good question about what medical evidence Minister considered
Mark Pawsey (C-Rugby) praisies the work of his local council. I have no idea if they deserve praise or not. Not entirely sure this takes us much further.
Clive Betts (this will be good - he knows his housing). Points to problems with evictions from PRS leading to huge expenditure on additional TA. Asks gov to provide additional funding to assist people in PRS.
Minister says nice things but doesn't actually agree to provide any more money. Now Bob Blackman (also knows his housing)
Blackman draws attention to mental and physical health problems and addiction concerns that tend to accompany rough sleeping. Calls for "housing first" to be a national scheme (yes) and more funding for Homelessness Reduction Act work (yes - transition funding is about to expire)
Minister says nice things about "housing first" and wants to review data from trial areas. Gov keen on extending it. Says further discussions coming re HRA funding
Ruth Cadbury (L - Brentford/Isleworth) wants to know about homelessness prevention services for young people. Minister says rough sleeping is not increasing
Gov says emergency funding provided to help people who were homeless and helped under "Everyone In" get ongoing support.
Tom Randall (C - Gedling) with something about his local authority. Again, not entirely sure where this goes. Gedling BC may or may not be great, but so what?
Florence Eshalomi (L - Vauxhall) points to position of young people in precarious employment and wants to know about the eviction ban and the bailiff hiatus.
Minister says there is a ban on evictions for Tier 3 areas and for the Xmas period (this is not true - there have been requests not to enforce). Minister seems confused about the now expired stay under PD51Z and CPR 55.29 and what is now happening.
Richard Holden (C - Durham) asks for committment that anyone who needs support over next few months will get it. Minister says yes. Perhaps a tiny bit overbroad as a question and answer?!
Tim Farron (LD - Westmoreland). Asking bailiffs not to enforce orders does not work to keep people in their homes. Need to extend financial support and needs to abolish s.21 HA 1988.
Minister now says she has asked for a pause on evictions. Praises past actions. Says she is committed to abolishing s.21 but will review when the timing is right. Farron seems to laugh ('cos it wasn't a great answer)
Missed his name, but it's a Tory MP - asks about protecting homeless ex-service members. Minister says such people have and continue to have priority to reduce homelessness (but it isn't a priority need category per se, so...)
Rachel Hopkins (L) points to 78% increase in families in TA since 2010 and asks why that might be (answer - welfare reform and benefit cap). Minister says gov has supported move on housing, housebuilding and provision of social housing.
Edward Leigh (C-Gainsborough) - wants to know about support for charities on homelessnes. Thinks charities should do more than the State (ARGH! The pre-1977 Act position. That worked *so* well!)
Minister repeats again about unprecedented action during pandemic. Now Ian Byrne (L - Liverpool). YES - good question! Points out that a request to a bailiff is not an eviction ban and asks that it be put on a legislative basis.
(this is a really, really important point)
(this is a really, really important point)
Minister says lots of support provided. Minister seems *really* confused on position re possession actions. Says she will take further action if needed
Chris Loder (C-Dorset) makes the point that rural rough sleeping is often overlooked and praises his local council. Tries to say that Bristol CC are doing badly on homelessness. Speaker tells him off as not remotely relevant to the UQ
Need to stop this shortly as have to do some work. Dr Cameron (SNP, East Kilbride) asks about housing for homeless people with pets as often hard to find hostel etc which will take animals. Minister agrees to meet to discuss.
Missed his name, but Tory MP for Wakefield asks about how to increase homes for homeless people (not sure why this is urgent - housebuilding is a longterm matter). Minister points to lots of money being spent.
Tony Lloyd (L - Rochdale), comes back to the Oct 22 changes to the immigration rules about deporting rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds. Minister says people with no recourse can still be helped by local authorties
But what she doesn't say is that it is only under the Care Act 2014 - so there needs to be some additional need beyond housing. I really don't think she understands this.
Shaun Bailey (C -West Brom) praising his local mayor. Minister also praises his local mayor and others.
Need to go and do some work now. Sorry to leave this here.
Need to go and do some work now. Sorry to leave this here.
