Ministerial working group on preventing and tackling homelessness

Terms of Reference

Aims

The aim of the Ministerial Working Group is to prevent and reduce homelessness, and improve the lives of those people who do become homeless. By bringing the relevant Government departments together to share information, resolve issues and avoid unintended policy consequences, we will be able to help enable communities to tackle the multi-faceted issues that contribute to homelessness.

Scope

The Ministerial Working Group will focus on those living on the streets and those in temporary or insecure accommodation, such as hostels, shelters and squats, who are at significant risk of rough sleeping. People being assisted under the homelessness legislation may also be considered where there are specific cross-government issues to address.

Formal policy decisions made by the Working Group will be subject to the usual processes of collective Cabinet Committee clearance. The Working Group will report into the Cabinet Committee on Social Justice.

Membership and Departmental Interest in Homelessness

Grant Shapps MP (Con) - Department for Communities and Local Government (housing and homelessness) (Chair)
Andrew Robathan MP (Con) - Ministry of Defence (welfare of veterans)
John Hayes MP (Con) - Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (adult skills)
Paul Burstow MP (LD) - Department of Health (health and care services)
Lord David Freud (Con) - Department for Work and Pensions (housing benefit)
Crispin Blunt MP (Con) - Ministry of Justice (criminal justice)
Lord Henley (Con) - Home Office (crime prevention)
Tim Loughton MP (Con) - Department for Education (children and youth services)

The lead policy official from each department will also attend. Representatives from homelessness or other partner organisations will attend on an ad hoc basis.