MINISTERS CONSIDER BAN ON LONDON COUNCILS MOVING HOMELESS FAMILIES AFAR

The UK government is considering banning London councils from placing homeless families in accommodation hundreds of miles from the capital. Alison McGovern, the homelessness minister, said the practice was a "real worry" and that ministers were prepared to clamp down on the worst instances following a review currently under way. McGovern indicated the government would consider going further than existing guidance, which states that out-of-area placements should never be determined on cost alone. Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Commons housing select committee, urged ministers to examine introducing a distance limit on all out-of-area placements.

The practice has grown alongside Britain's housing crisis, with some London councils sending vulnerable families to cheaper properties in some of the poorest parts of England. Several London councils have already been found to have acted unlawfully in relocating vulnerable families to distant locations. Charities reported that some domestic abuse victims had returned to their abusers rather than accept distant placements, whilst others were living in emergency refuges. Jonathan Brash, the Labour MP for Hartlepool, called for the law to be radically tightened, saying the policy was increasing local tension and damaging the social fabric of his constituency.

Under the Housing Act, local authorities are required to find accommodation within their borough so far as reasonably practicable. The government's review of the practice is currently under way, and any potential ban is expected to include exceptions for individuals who have specific reasons to leave London. McGovern acknowledged that the current system was not functioning as intended. No timetable for legislative or regulatory changes has been confirmed.