Homeless families more than double under Labour

8.29.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Jun 2004

The number of homeless families in temporary accommodation has more than doubled since Labour came to power, according to new figures released on 16 June from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In 1997, there were more than 41,000 households in temporary accommodation. The figure has now risen to over 97,000, representing some 250,000 individuals.

Commenting on the figures, Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Local Government spokesman, said: "Today's rise in the homeless provides 56 thousand more reasons for not voting Labour. In 1997 Tony Blair promised to end homelessness, yet 7 years later it's still getting worse. Labour have tried to sweep the homeless under the carpet, hiding the problem in temporary accommodation and shelters.

"Instead of warehousing the homeless, the Government should properly house the homeless. With over 700,000 empty homes in the UK, and 97,000 homeless families, the Government have got no one but themselves to blame. Given Britain's affordable housing problem, these figures probably underestimate the crisis caused by this Government's housing policy.

"With the Governor of the Bank of England now predicting a downturn in the housing market, it's increasingly likely housing could be another electoral nightmare for Labour at the next election." The government has failed to address the issue in the light of the Barker Report.