Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other European countries on homelessness.

Representatives of the Department have participated in European discussions about homelessness. This included attending the Leuven Roundtable Discussion on Homelessness in March 2013, as well as speaking at conferences in Belgium, Italy and Denmark.

My Department also liaises closely with colleagues in the Home Office on associated issues.

The Government is determined to tackle migrant rough-sleeping. Over half of London's rough sleepers are foreign nationals. We believe that it is important that migrants who come to this country are able to support themselves so they do not become destitute. The Government is working with local authorities and the voluntary sector to deliver voluntary reconnection to the migrant’s home country. In some cases those who refuse to return home may be targeted for enforced return and be administratively removed.