Speeches by Ali.

“As an MP representing a constituency in London, I know how devastating it is. I have, as I know other colleagues have, dealt with life and death situations with constituents because of these sorts of issues and challenges in terms of shortage but also the sorts of examples you have given. Damp and mould, if it is not t…”

“The legislative programme is really important in what we are doing as a Government now. There is a wider issue around improvement, regulation and the regulators, because the numbers are concerning. The English Housing Survey data is concerning in terms of the private rented sector, but also in the social rented. It is …”

“We know from our own individual experiences in constituencies that there are huge pressures on local authorities. They have had 14 years of cuts in funding. There are pressures. This Government have already increased the funding and support to local authorities. We want to work closely with local authorities to identif…”

“Immediate action that the Chancellor has taken is to provide £500 million to the affordable homes programme to get 5,000 affordable homes available as quickly as possible, built or provided for, in terms of social housing. There is the £450 million that was announced just after the general election for schemes like tha…”

“Yes, and of course the capital receipts that can be used from right to buy, which is something that we have announced in this Government, is an additional resource allocation that is now available to local authorities.”

“It is really important that we get to a point where we do not have to use emergency accommodation for homeless families and we eliminate the use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation. The condition and the circumstances in which children and families find themselves, with inappropriate cooking facilities and all sorts of …”

“These are the ones with the highest. Penny, do you want to add anything on that?”

“There are things that can be done. The first step is to support local authorities to get out of that situation. That means working closely with the homelessness advisory teams and developing plans. I have seen evidence, including in my own local authority, where actually they have gone down to zero in terms of interven…”

“You are absolutely right. As I say, as an MP dealing with constituents who are placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation, for me, it is an absolute must that we bring down and eliminate the number of people who are in bed and breakfast. We are working with local authorities. We are seeing the impact of the work that is…”

“We inherited a really difficult set of circumstances in terms of the number of people who are homeless in our country. I know that we will come on to rough sleeping. Between June 2023 and 2024, there was a 50% increase in the number of households with children staying in B&Bs. It is not acceptable, but that is what we …”

“To take the last one first, the statutory six-week limit applies to privately managed B&B accommodation. That includes shared accommodation. Councils have no control over who else is placed in that kind of accommodation and we know that that can put families in a vulnerable position. That is why the first priority is t…”

“That is the position of the Department.”

“Local authorities have safeguarding duties. They have a wide range of statutory duties, including for vulnerable children and families. This links to out-of-area placements as well for those who are vulnerable.”

“There are a number of existing requirements and provisions that local authorities need to follow, be that in relation to standards, safeguarding and so on, making sure that, where they are placing, including bed-and-breakfast accommodation, those they have a duty and responsibility over, they follow those obligations.”

“The legislation is very clear that councils should place families, those they are responsible for, within their local area in the first instance. You will appreciate that, going back to the housing pressures, that is not always possible. I recognise that it is a growing problem. The Deputy Prime Minister recognises tha…”

“As I say, the Deputy Prime Minister has already contacted local authorities, making clear what their responsibilities are.”

“We will continue to monitor the situation. I know that there is strong interest here in Parliament. As a London MP, I do not want to speak for other colleagues, but I do not want my constituents to be placed far away. Indeed, in my own constituency there was a big campaign locally to stop the local council from placing…”

“We want to see local authorities prioritising keeping people in their localities. That is the message that has been made very clear by the Deputy Prime Minister. I am making that clear today. However, we also recognise that, in certain circumstances, because of a shortage, local authorities do not have the option of ho…”

“My colleague attended the committee hearings.”

“There is not enough housing because there was not enough housebuilding. That is the legacy we have inherited. We are not going to be able to fix this overnight, but we are determined to address it. London has huge housing pressures. If you look at the temporary accommodation numbers, you will see that they are signific…”