MP Chris Vince welcomes Government cash to help the homeless in Uttlesford
Former homelessness charity worker-turned-MP Chris Vince has welcomed Government cash to tackle rough sleeping in his constituency.
Labour says it is pumping nearly £1 billion into local authority budgets across the country to keep people off the streets and out of temporary accommodation.
Mr Vince’s Harlow constituency includes parts of two other districts: Uttlesford and Epping Forest. He is MP for the Hallingburys, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Lower Sheering and Matching.
He said: “As someone who worked for a homeless charity in Harlow, I know the challenges we face on this issue. It’s an issue that will not go away by itself – it requires attention, and Labour is providing just that.
“I welcome the additional £1.2 million on top of usual funding for Harlow, with more to come, as well as funding of at least £1.6m for Epping Forest and Uttlesford councils, which have parts in Harlow constituency.
“This is part of the Government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in our community.
“The last Government left a devastating record of more than 123,000 households living in temporary accommodation, including nearly 160,000 children. Since taking office, this Labour Government has been working to tackle the crisis in homelessness left behind by the Tories.
“This follows the Deputy Prime Minister last month launching an emergency £10m fund to protect rough sleepers from cold weather this winter.”
Figures for the end of 2023-24 in Uttlesford show a cumulative total of 34 homeless people.
A district council report says: “We are fortunate to have positive growth in the social housing rented sector. This will address the needs of a number of our applicants. However, our priority is for people to be accommodated before they experience homelessness.”
On Wednesday (December 18), Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “Too many people have been failed by the system time and again – 160,000 children face spending this Christmas without a stable place to call home. I am determined to break the cycle of spiralling homelessness and get back on track to ending it for good.
“This largest-ever investment marks a turning point, giving councils the tools they need to act quickly and put in place support for people to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness. It’s time to turn the tide.
“This historic funding comes alongside our work developing a cross-government strategy back on track to end homelessness, pulling every lever of the state, to ensure we deliver not just sticking plasters but a long-term plan.
“Through our Plan for Change, I am determined to tackle the housing crisis we inherited head-on, building the homes we need, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation and ending no-fault evictions.”
Housing charity Shelter estimates more than 56,000 primary school children in England are homeless this Christmas, meaning one youngster in every third primary classroom is homeless.
In the October Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an additional £233m to tackle homelessness, taking overall spending to nearly £1bn in 2025-26.
