VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Homelessness

Asked by Dr Peter PrinsleyLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 3 March 2026UIN 115269

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities and their partners on responding to rough sleeping in town centres, including engagement with local businesses, and on meeting safeguarding and homelessness prevention duties.

Answered by Alison McGovern

Through our National Plan to End Homelessness, the government has committed to developing an Outreach Toolkit, alongside a Single Homelessness and Complex Needs Toolkit. Together these will provide advice on designing and delivering services, including on effective outreach, accommodation pathways including the role of housing-led solutions, including Housing First, and enforcement.

These toolkits will build on the support available to local authorities through my Department’s team of expert advisers and guidance published through gov.uk here. This includes specific guidance on safeguarding, which you can find here.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim