Conservatives stop housing support for young people

From April 2017 the Budget will remove the automatic entitlement to housing support for new claims in Universal Credit from 18-21 year olds who are out of work.

Responding to the Conservative Government's plans, Paul Chaplin, Medway Liberal Democrat Group Parliamentary Spokesperson said, "The Lib Dems had to stop this time and time again whilst in government. Now the Conservatives have jumped at the opportunity to push it through. It is based on a Conservative version of the world where young adults are simply accommodated by their parents when falling on hard times.

Sadly that is not real life - what about those who can't move in with their parents? What about those who are vulnerable or at risk such as young people leaving care or those suffering exploitation where they currently live?

The government's own statistics say youth homelessness per person, per anm costs the state between £24 to £30k a year. This will drive more young people onto the streets and it will be councils who have to pick up the pieces when young people have nowhere left to turn. Putting more pressure on Councils homeless budgets"