Today, Liberal Democrat MP has slammed the Conservatives
for “failing the most vulnerable”, as analysis of new rough
sleeping statistics shows that the Government is significantly
off track on its target of eliminating rough sleeping by
2024.
The Conservatives announced the revised target, which was
previously 2027, after the election in December.
The latest Rough sleeping snapshot, published today
by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government,
shows that there were an estimated 4,266 rough sleepers in
England on any given night in Autumn 2019, a reduction of just
411 people (8.8%) on 2018’s figure.
Analysis by the House of Commons Library shows that, in order to
reach zero by 2024, there would need to be a reduction of 780
rough sleepers each year from the 4,677 recorded in 2018. The
reduction of 411 from 2018 to 2019 therefore put the Government
well off track to meet its target.
Responding to the figures, said:
“These figures underline the Tories’ failure when it comes to
rough sleeping and homelessness. They are letting down some of
the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Having a target to eliminate rough sleeping by 2024 is all well
and good, but the data shows just how off track the Government
is. We need actions, not just words.
“The Conservatives must implement a more compassionate and
holistic approach, if they are to get any closer to their goal.
That starts with scrapping the Vagrancy Act, a Dickensian law
that criminalises rough sleeping in England and Wales. The answer
to ending rough sleeping is not to arrest those doing it.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
- The Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn
2019, published today by the Ministry of Housing,
Communities & Local Government, is here.
- The latest Government announcement on homelessness, which
includes the new 2024 target, is here.
- The figure of 780 fewer rough sleepers per year to reach zero
rough sleepers by 2024 is based on analysis
by the House of Commons Library, that shows there was a
reduction of just 74 (2%) rough sleepers between 2017 and 2018,
which would have meant a reduction of 520 rough sleepers per
year for the Government’s old 2027 target. These figures are
reached by taking the 2018 figure for rough sleepers in
England, 4,677, and dividing it by the years remaining since
2018 until the elimination target.
