Government Cites ‘Statutory Guidance’ As Homeless Deaths Rise

The government has fallen back on ‘statutory guidance’ over circumstances that could trigger a safeguarding of reviews of homelessness deaths – with reports suggesting such deaths have risen by 24% over the last five years. A Commons question confirmed the absence of any review criteria specific to homelessness. Instead, health and social care minister Jackie Doyle-Price told Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck that the government does not collect national level data on the living circumstances of the subjects of Safeguarding Adult Reviews. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-cites-statutory-guidance-as-homeless-deaths-rise/

Bedroom Tax Leaves Properties Standing Empty

Cuts to housing benefit designed to drive tenants out of large homes have led to streets with scores of empty properties across the North East, MPs have claimed.  South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck said tenants were refusing to move in to larger homes because they feared they would have to pay extra costs if their circumstances changed.  She said: “We are already seeing streets with scores of empty properties. The number of such properties is likely to rise and rise, while the former residents are becoming homeless or moving to the expensive private sector - moves that will increase the housing benefit bill further, and further stretch public finances.” Read more on the Newcastle Journal website.