Crowborough plan: End B&B use for homeless by parliament

Published: 11 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The homelessness crisis in England has intensified despite the government’s repeated assurances, as the Labour administration unveils a new strategy to end the use of bed and breakfasts as emergency housing. Homelessness minister Alison McGovern promised that B&Bs would only be used in extreme emergencies and pledged to end their use entirely by the conclusion of this parliament. Her announcement coincided with new statistics showing that over 380,000 people in England are now homeless, with a record 350,000 in temporary accommodation, highlighting the scale of the challenge. The government hopes the strategy will tackle the root causes of homelessness, but campaigners warn that immediate pressures remain significant.

McGovern described the reliance on B&Bs as a temporary but unacceptable solution, acknowledging that people facing homelessness require better temporary accommodation, more social housing, and sustainable support. She stated that if the government failed to end B&B placements, she would hold herself personally accountable, emphasising her commitment to tackling the problem. “We want to end the use of B&Bs by the end of the parliament. It will require people accessing better temporary accommodation and increased social housing,” she said, underlining the long-term nature of the strategy. The minister also highlighted the compounding effects of rising living costs, constrained incomes, and a decade and a half of austerity measures affecting local councils.

Despite these commitments, critics immediately pointed to policy decisions undermining progress, including the decision to freeze local housing allowance until at least 2026. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham warned that this freeze would worsen homelessness in private rented accommodation, creating a growing gap between rent costs and available support. He stressed that this policy effectively pushes families toward homelessness when they cannot meet rental obligations, which forces them to seek local council assistance. Campaigners argue that freezing housing allowances undermines efforts to stabilise people’s living situations and leaves many vulnerable to further hardship.

Shelter’s chief executive Sarah Elliott echoed concerns over the frozen housing allowance, warning that thousands could face another harsh winter without secure accommodation unless urgent government intervention occurs. She emphasised that immediate action is necessary to prevent rising homelessness, particularly for families and individuals relying on temporary housing. McGovern, however, emphasised that addressing the underlying challenges of the private rented sector, rather than simply increasing allowances, remains a central focus. She argued that sustainable solutions require both more homes and secure incomes for those in need, suggesting that long-term structural reforms are essential.

As part of the strategy, the government announced significant funding for temporary accommodation improvements, including £124 million dedicated to supported housing for individuals with complex needs. This initiative aims to provide more robust care and stability for vulnerable groups, particularly those previously institutionalised or experiencing chronic homelessness. The cornerstone of the policy involves a proposed “duty to collaborate” law, compelling public agencies to work together to ensure no one is discharged from hospital or released from prison directly onto the streets. This legislation is intended to prevent individuals from falling into homelessness immediately after leaving institutional care, addressing a long-standing gap in the system.

The strategy also sets ambitious targets, including halving the number of individuals who experience homelessness immediately after leaving prison and preventing hospital discharge onto the streets for eligible persons. While campaigners welcome the legislative framework, they caution that its success will depend on clear timelines, adequate resourcing, and effective inter-agency coordination. Jasmine Basran of Crisis highlighted that homelessness among those discharged from hospitals, prisons, and other institutions rose by 22% over the past year, underscoring the urgency of the government’s proposals. She stressed that individuals discharged without proper support face compounded risks, including health deterioration and increased likelihood of reoffending.

David Robinson, assistant director of operations at the Riverside housing association, emphasised the practical challenges of implementing the new duties. He acknowledged that many people entering homelessness had previous interactions with hospitals, social care, or the prison system, and leaving without support often triggers a cycle of repeated crisis. Robinson noted that while the strategy provides a framework, the success depends on how resources are allocated and responsibilities assigned. Ensuring sufficient staffing, funding, and coordination across agencies is vital to achieving meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable people.

Despite these detailed proposals, questions remain about the speed and scope of implementation. McGovern has framed her approach as a long-term commitment to ending reliance on emergency accommodation while improving housing outcomes for vulnerable populations. Critics argue that the frozen housing allowance and ongoing financial pressures in the private rented sector will limit immediate impact. Nevertheless, the government’s strategy represents the most comprehensive plan to date to reduce B&B use and ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive safer, more stable, and supported housing options. As the policy moves forward, its success will likely depend on the government’s ability to balance long-term reform with urgent interventions to prevent further hardship.

The launch of this three-year homelessness strategy has sparked widespread discussion across political and charitable sectors, with both praise and concern. While stakeholders welcome the ambition to end B&B use and implement legislative duties to protect vulnerable individuals, scrutiny of the government’s commitments and funding arrangements will continue. Campaigners maintain that without rapid intervention, more people will experience winter homelessness, which exacerbates health risks and deepens social inequalities. The unfolding situation will test whether Labour’s promises translate into tangible improvements in the immediate lives of those most affected by housing insecurity.