Chuka Umunna MP

London MP Chuka Umunna has spoken out as eighteen months into a Conservative-led Government new figures show homelessness has risen by more than 28%. The number of homeless households fell dramatically during the last Labour Government, from 26,310 in 1998 to a low of 2,230 in the first quarter of 2010.

The Statistics, which were released last week by the Department for Communities and Local Government, show the changes to the number of households that Local Authorities accepted were owed a main homeless duty, which means that Local Government considers those people homeless.

The figures showed that homelessness rose more than 28% in the last 18 months under the Tory led Coalition Government. Since the number of people homeless was so high before the last Labour Government came to power, there are inevitable fears that high levels of homelessness could return.

There were strong fears, even before the election, that the pace of deficit reduction would lead to a worsening situation for the most vulnerable. Homelessness charities have reacted with alarm to the latest figures.  Commenting on the figures, Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said: 

“These latest figures are deeply worrying”

 “So much has been done by so many people in my constituency and all over London to help end the scourge of homelessness yet now we appear to be going backwards not forwards.” 

 “As we enter the Christmas period it is important that we remember the people who have nowhere to live and need our help. It is vital that we do all we can to support the most vulnerable.”

“Figures like this show that the Government needs to be doing far more to tackle this problem.”

Commenting on the national situation Shelter’s Chief Executive, Campbell Robb said:

‘With someone facing losing their home every two minutes, the reality is this is a fate that could happen to any one of us. All it takes is one small thing, such as an illness or financial trouble, and things can soon spiral out of control.”