Statistics Watchdog Warns Government Over Homelessness Figures

The government’s official statistics body has told the CLG to stop using potentially misleading figures for homelessness, and said it would monitor its future statements on the issue. The intervention by the UK Statistics Authority came after the CLG claimed in a series of press briefings late last year that homelessness was at less than half its 2003 peak. The briefings did not make clear that this only referred to the statutory definition of homelessness – a relatively narrow meaning which only includes people local authorities are obliged to assist – and does not take into account those given assistance under homelessness prevention and relief schemes. Read more on the Guardian website.

Statistics Watchdog To Speak To CLG Over Million Homes Target

The UK’s statistics watchdog will open talks with government officials to improve the clarity of numbers used to track its much-vaunted ‘million homes’ target. Ministers had previously promised to “build” a million new homes over the life of this parliament, but last month revealed the government would use “net additions” figures to measure this progress. Net additions figures include conversions from offices and larger homes, and are routinely higher than measures of new building. Ministers also pushed the timescale out for meeting the pledge to December 2020, meaning it needs 174,000 net additions each year to hit the target – 16,000 below the 190,000 recorded in 2015/16. Read more on Inside Housing.