§ Mr. PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he is going to publish the findings of the study of homelessness carried out by the university of Birmingham's centre for urban and regional studies.
§ Mr. TrippierThe findings are published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library. We very much welcome this study which has lessons for both central and local government.
The report demonstrates clearly that homelessness is a complex problem which needs attacking on a number of fronts. Local authorities are generally doing a good job, but there is room for streamlining procedures and standardising the service to homeless people across local authorities. Conditions in temporary accommodation, and bed and breakfast in particular, are often poor and people are waiting for long periods to be rehoused into permanent accommodation.
The Department has considered the report carefully and the findings are providing a valuable contribution to our current review of homelessness legislation.