In the House earlier today, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster Nickie Aiken asked Chancellor Rishi Sunak the following question about funding to tackle the causes of rough sleeping.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. May I congratulate my Right Honourable Friend for the statement today and also for his stamina as I'm the 80th question he's answered so far this afternoon. Mr. Deputy Speaker, rough sleeping is a subject that's very close to my heart and tackling the causes of rough sleeping.
Sadly, in my constituency, we see more rough sleepers than any other constituency in the United Kingdom. Would my Right Honourable Friend give me assurances that today in his statement, he will be providing financial support so we can make sure that we can focus on the government's priority to end rough sleeping by 2024?
The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP replied:
I can give the Honourable lady, my Honourable Friend that assurance. There's a 250 million pounds, I think 254 million pounds made available to local authorities to help end rough sleeping. That's a 60% increase in cash terms on the money available this year, because she's absolutely right.
This is something that we must end, and the funding I know will make an enormous difference in her constituency. And I know it's an issue she cares passionately about.
You can watch their exchange above. Nickie asked her question following a statement from the Chancellor to the House unveiling the Government’s latest spending review. You can also watch Nickie’s reaction to the review here.
