Skip to main content
CampaignsNews and views

‘Too little, too late’: City MP says Tories’ rough sleeping plan shows no urgency and no new money

By 13 August 2018September 8th, 2022No Comments

Newly announced strategy contains no new money to tackle homelessness and stretches to 2027 

Stephen Morgan MP has criticised the Government’s rough-sleeping strategy for failing the growing number of homeless people on Portsmouth’s streets.

Before his election, the Portsmouth South MP was Chief Executive of a homelessness charity people and has said that the lack of attention and funding from the Conservatives will mean the pressure will continue to rise on smaller voluntary organisations and charities who are filling the vacuum.

Mr Morgan says the plan completely lacks any sense of urgency or proper funding. The Government had initially promised £100 million towards the new strategy. However, this figure has subsequently been thrown into doubt after Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, today appeared to indicate that half is already assigned to rough sleeping and half has been moved from other budgets.

Portsmouth has some of the highest rates of homelessness in the country, with almost 5 rough sleepers for every 10,000 households. This is compared to 0.4 per 10,000 in neighbouring East Hampshire.

Labour’s New Deal on homelessness would introduce a new national plan to end rough sleeping, starting by doubling the number of affordable homes reserved for those with a history of sleeping rough.

Stephen Morgan MP, said:

“It’s clear we have a homelessness crisis in Portsmouth. The fact that the Government isn’t willing to put any new money into tackling it shows just how far down this problem, and our city, is on their agenda.

Before I was elected, I was Chief Executive of a homelessness charity running day support services for rough-sleepers so I know what a difference public money can make to people living on the street and those that support them. The financial sleight of hand by the Government will be a real blow.

This ‘strategy’ is no such thing. With the Secretary of State appearing to confirm that the supposed ‘£100 million’ is really just clever accounting its little wonder his department has estimated it will decade before it can fix rough sleeping.

Portsmouth can’t wait any longer for the Tories to take this seriously. Labour would build the homes needed to end rough sleeping. In the face of Government inaction, I’ll continue to support and engage with the number of brilliant local charities and organisations in Portsmouth who are doing such important work in assisting those on our streets.”   

Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, John Healy MP, said:

“The Government’s rough sleeping plan has unravelled just hours after it was announced. It’s now clear there is no additional money for the Housing Department to tackle the crisis of rough sleeping.

Rough sleeping has more than doubled since 2010 thanks to decisions made by Tory Ministers, but this feeble plan lacks any urgency.

The next Labour Government will end rough sleeping within our first term in office, making 8,000 homes available for people with a history of rough sleeping.”