Sleeping Rough
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on ending rough sleeping in (a) Mid Cheshire constituency, (b) Cheshire and (c) the rest of England.
Answered by Rushanara Ali
Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected.
We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26.
The Government is also taking action by setting up a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group which the Deputy Prime Minister will chair, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy to put us back on track to ending homelessness.
Two unitary authorities in Cheshire received funding to tackle rough sleeping through the Rough Sleeping Initiative in 2024/25:
- Cheshire East UA received £222 thousand; and
- Cheshire West & Chester UA received £661 thousand.
Future allocations to local authorities will be announced in due course and made available on gov.uk.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →