§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to tackle the problem of children living in substandard housing conditions as part of the target to eliminate child poverty. [136446]
§ Keith HillThe Government are very aware of the links between housing conditions, health and poverty. Children of low income parents (those on means tested benefit) are more likely (38 per cent. of such households, 760,000 households in all) to live in homes that do not meet the decent home standard than other children (25 per cent.).
That is why the Government are committed to making all social housing decent by 2010 and has made a long-term commitment to eliminate child poverty by 677W 2020. Improving sub-standard housing conditions is an integral part of the Government's child poverty strategy.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister target is that by 2010 all social housing will be made decent and that 210,000 more households will be supported to ensure their homes are made decent. Good progress has already been made—between 1997 and 2001, nearly half a million the numbers of non-decent social sector homes have been reduced. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also helped around 120,000 vulnerable households in the private sector to make their homes decent.
In March 2003 the draft Housing Bill was published. It includes the following proposals that will benefit poor and vulnerable households by targeting housing condition problems which will in turn address child poverty issues:
Housing Health and Safety Rating System—this new system will target health and safety hazards in the home and provide a better basis for enforcement. It will replace the current Fitness Standard.Licensing of higher-risk Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)—These house some of the most vulnerable people. The definition includes Bread and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation for homeless families. This mandatory national licensing scheme will improve controls on about 120,000 HMOs, to improve basic facilities and management standards.The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also set a target to end, by March 2004, the use of B&B accommodation for families with children except in emergencies, and then for no longer than six weeks. The Government are considering making it unlawful for local authorities to exceed this six-week deadline, and hopes to make an announcement by the end of this year.