Homelessness will not end worklessness

Commenting on proposals by the Housing Minister, Caroline Flint, to bar new tenants access to social housing if families without work do not sign work 'commitment contracts', the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said: "Homelessness will not end worklessness. The Minister's comments are insulting and stigmatising to people facing major barriers to employment.

"Communities with a high concentration of worklessness result from poor planning that concentrates social housing. Years of expert warnings have recommended housing developments should be mixed and it's time the Minister dusted the cobwebs off these reports instead of chasing headlines.

"The Government must stop trying to manage the lives of the most disadvantaged people at the sharp end of a stick and address their genuine needs. Investment in skills development, disability support and the rollout of comprehensive childcare in disadvantaged communities will meet the Government's employment targets and move towards their important promise to end child poverty."