§ Linda PerhamTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the quality of temporary accommodation provided by London boroughs; and what action he has taken in the light of these assessments. [80529]
§ Mrs. RocheHomelessness legislation requires that all temporary accommodation offered to homeless households must be suitable, taking account of the law on unfitness, overcrowding and multiple occupation houses.
London boroughs also have a duty to ensure that their environmental health officers carry out regular inspections of all bed and breakfast hotels used for statutorily homeless households in their locality. They must abide by the joint London boroughs' code of practice on hotel standards.
We are committed to end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families with children except in an emergency, and even then for no more than six weeks, through a number of measures to promote better quality self-contained accommodation and action to prevent homelessness.
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