This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ministerial response to homelessness figures
17/12/2002
The Minister for Social Justice, Margaret Curran, today said she was concerned about the small number of families in Scotland still living in bed and breakfast.
She was speaking in response to the publication of statistics on households living in temporary accommodation in Scotland.
The Minister said:
"I note the publication today of the statistics on households living in temporary accommodation in Scotland.
"I continue to be concerned about the small number of families who are still being accommodated temporarily in bed and breakfast (105 families throughout Scotland at June 2002). We know this is not appropriate accommodation for children, and I am pleased to note that more than half of Scotland's local authorities have one or no families accommodated in B&B.
"Only six authorities had more than six families living in bed and breakfast at the end of June 2002, but even that small number is unacceptable in 21 st century Scotland. We will be working closely with these authorities as they develop their homelessness strategies to ensure that this is addressed.
"The Scottish Executive is determined to eradicate homelessness in Scotland. Our recent Spending Review identified 127 million pounds over three years to take forward the 59 recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force in tackling homelessness, particularly amongst families with children.
"The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 has provided the best ever package of rights for homeless people.
"These include increased duties on local authorities to develop homelessness strategies, to provide at least temporary accommodation, advice and information for all homelessness applicants, the expansion of priority and better responses to intentionally homeless people.
"The introduction of our Homelessness Bill, which gets its first reading tomorrow, marks a further major step towards eradicating homelessness in Scotland.
"It sets out a phased approach to expand priority need over the next decade so that by 2012 all homeless people will be entitled to permanent accommodation.
"It also aims to provide homeless people with more choices about where they live so that their homelessness is less likely to be repeated. This Bill is part of our ongoing commitment to tackle homelessness and achieve social justice across Scotland."