It is right that the Government focuses on the prevention of homelessness and I am glad that we are providing support for prevention in a number of ways. I am encouraged that homelessness is now lower than in 27 of the last thirty years, but there is still more that could be done.
We all sympathise with people who find themselves without a decent place to live, which can happen for all sorts of reasons, and is very distressing. Homelessness is often a far more complex problem than it first appears, and its causes very varied. Drugs and alcohol play a part, but so does mental illness and family breakdown.
The Government recognises that the HPG has been a powerful tool in combatting homelessness. Indeed, Government investment in local authority and voluntary sector homelessness services has contributed to local authorities preventing 935,800 households from becoming homeless since 2010.
The Spending Review will be published on 25 November, and will outline how the Government will deliver the remaining £20 billion of consolidation required. While taking further action to achieve this will involve difficult decisions, the Government is committed to eliminating the deficit in a fair and balanced way.
By Patrick McLoughlin on October 27, 2015