§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many rough sleepers there were in each of the last 30 months for which figures are available in(a) London, (b) Bristol, (c) Cardiff, (d) Glasgow, (e) Leeds, (f) Liverpool and (g) Birmingham. [101524]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe following table sets out an estimate of the number of people sleeping rough on any one night in London, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham, as at June 1998 and June 1999.
June 1998 June 1999 Greater London 621 635 Bristol 42 32 Leeds 8 17 Liverpool 17 30 Birmingham 56 43 The figures for 1998 are based on single night street counts and were published as part of my answer of 19 May 1999, Official Report, columns 355–62W, which gave an estimate of the number of people sleeping rough across England. This estimate formed a baseline figure for the Government's target to reduce rough sleeping in England by two thirds by 2002.
The figures for 1999 are being published today as part of the breakdown of the latest national estimate, showing the position as at June 1999. This shows that the number of people sleeping rough in England, on any one night, fell from 1,850 in June 1998 to 1,633 in June 1999. Copies of the full breakdown are available from the Library. Responsibility for the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Scotland is a devolved matter. I understand, however, that no comparable figures are available for Glasgow. A single night street count in central Glasgow in 1997 found 53 people sleeping rough. No counts have been undertaken since.
194WResponsibility for rough sleeping in Wales is also a devolved matter. I understand, however, that an independent report has recently been prepared for the National Assembly for Wales and local authorities in Wales on the incidence of rough sleeping in Wales and its causes, and to advise on effective strategies for assisting rough sleepers. According to this independent report, single night street counts in September 1997 found 12 people sleeping rough in Cardiff city centre, and in September 1998 found 20 people.
§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce(a) his plans to meet the Prime Minister's target of reducing rough sleeping by at least two thirds by 2002 and (b) the latest figures for the numbers of rough sleepers in England. [103041]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe Government's strategy on rough sleeping will be published later today and copies placed in the Library. We are also publishing today the latest estimate of the number of people sleeping rough in England on any one night. These figures show that the number of people sleeping rough in England fell from 1,850 in June 1998 to 1,633 in June 1999. Copies of the full breakdown are available in the Library.