A response from Sir Peter Bottomley MP:
I am aware that the increase in the cost of living over recent years, partly as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has affected my constituents.
We are aware that despite some positive news on the economy, the coming winter is likely to be another challenging time for some.
After listening to local concerns from constituents, Housing Associations, and housing charities, ahead of the Autumn Statement, I wrote to the Minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to make clear constituent concerns regarding the disparity between housing benefit and the average monthly rent of local property. I also meet with the Chancellor in the week prior to the Autumn Statement and highlighted the housing stress that some constituents have been under.
I was pleased that in his Statement, the Chancellor announced an increase to the Local Housing Allowance. In April 2024 Local Housing Allowance will rise to cover to the 30th percentile of local market rents. This rise will see 1.6 million low-income households be on average around £800 a year better off in 2024-2025.
The government has continued to show its commitment to alleviating housing difficulties, tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, working with local authorities and charities to help reduce the need for emergency and temporary accommodation.
My small team and I will work to help any constituent who is at risk of homelessness as a result. If you or anyone you know is in need of individual assistance, please do get in touch.
Support must continue to be adaptive and flexible to current needs and difficulties.
Criminal Justice Bill- Update 22nd May 2024
Thank you for contacting me about the Criminal Justice Bill.
The Government is committed to ending rough sleeping, and I am pleased that since 2017 rough sleeping has reduced by 35 per cent. Previous legislative responses to homelessness have rightly been deemed archaic and detrimental to efforts to end rough sleeping for good, and in February 2022 I voted to repeal the Vagrancy Act of 1824, which made rough sleeping and begging a criminal offence, and those found in violation were potentially facing a fine of £1000.
At the time of the vote, the Government announced that this decision would only be enacted once a replacement bill was in place, to ensure that there was no legislative gap.
The Criminal Justice Bill seeks to enable police and local authorities to better respond to begging and rough sleeping where it amounts to harassment or causes distress to the wider public. This includes obstructing fire escapes or aggressively begging by cash points, which can lead to anti-social behaviour as well as exploitation by criminal gangs. It is important to address the fact that begging can cause harm to the individuals involved as well as to wider communities and public spaces.
The Bill is not a means by which to criminalise individuals who are homeless.
Police and local councils have called for better tools to move vulnerable individuals off the streets and to help them access the appropriate support, such as accommodation provision, substance misuse, or mental health services.
The Bill gives license to the police and local authorities to determine the most appropriate response. The responses range from a move-on direction, issuing of a nuisance rough sleeping prevention notice, or making an application to the court for a nuisance rough sleeping prevention order, which will enable those with complex needs to be directed to the appropriate support available.
I know the Government regards criminal sanctions as a last resort when rough sleeping is causing a serious problem, for example for businesses, but I will ensure my ministerial colleagues are aware of your concerns as debate on the Criminal Justice Bill continues.
Crucially, the Bill forms part of the Government’s wider ‘Ending Rough Sleeping for Good’ strategy that is built around a ‘prevention first’ approach, backed by £2 billion worth of investment over three years. Investment includes over £547 million for the Rough Sleeping Initiative which enables local authorities to provide tailored support, the £200 million Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme to provide long-term homes to people with complex needs with a history of rough sleeping, and more than 6,000 move-on homes through the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme.
I do understand that the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect many constituents. Please rest assured that my small team and I will work to help any constituent at risk of homelessness.
There is local support available through Adur and Worthing Council: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/housing/advice/i-am-homeless/ or through Arun Council: https://www.arun.gov.uk/homeless-or-at-risk-of-homelessness/.
There is further advice from West Sussex County Council: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/your-space/support/housing-support/housing-support-for-people-over-18/.
Charities such as Turning Tides https://www.turning-tides.org.uk/get-help/ and Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/ can also provide advice and support.
Thank you for contacting me about this issue.
