§ Mr. SutcliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the most recent figures for homelessness; and what was the figure in 1979. [40325]
§ Mr. ClappisonLocal authorities report in their quarterly P1(E) returns the number of households for which they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985.
Local authorities accepted some 119,710 households as homeless in the 12 months ending June 1995, the latest period for which a figure is available. This is some 25,370, 17 per cent., below the peak figure in the year ending March 1992. Total acceptances in 1979 were 55,530.
The figure for 1979 is not strictly comparable with that for the latest 12 months because of changes made to reporting systems in 1980, for non-metropolitan districts, and 1982 for London boroughs and metropolitan districts.
§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the effect of the proposed White Paper "Our Future Homes", on the levels of homelessness. [40345]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe proposals in the White Paper will help to achieve overall objective of bringing a decent home within reach of every family, and reduce homelessness.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many homeless people there have been in London in each of the last 10 years; [41267]
(2) how many homeless people there have been in Southwark in each of the last 10 years. [41272]
988W
§ Mr. ClappisonLocal authorities in England report in their quarterly P1(E) returns the number of households for which they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act.
The available information for the years 1985 to 1994 for London and Southwark is in the table:
Acceptances in Southwark London 1985 11,443 27,070 1986 11,594 29,380 1987 1872 (2) 29,220 1988 1550(1) 28,880 1989 n/a 33,020 1990 n/a 36,480 1991 13,012 (3) 37,060 1992 2,885 37,840 1993 1,646 31,890 1994 1,453 28,810 1 Includes intentionally homeless households (up to quarter 1 1991); some authorities may have further changed the basis of their returns at that time this change was made. (1), (2), & (3) indicates number of quarters covered where partial returns only.
n/a indicates no figures available.
§ Mr. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless people there have been in each county in each of the last 10 years. [41268]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe information will be placed in the Library shortly.