Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 28 July to Question 76655, whether the accommodation support scheme for prison leavers was extended beyond 31 July 2020.
As the Honourable Member is aware, the Government exceptionally allocated funding of up to £8.5m to provide accommodation for those released from prison who were at risk of homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic. This emergency funding was available for a limited time and initially ran from 18 May until 31 July. Having kept the operation of the scheme under review, it was agreed to extend it past the 31 July to the 31 August as the public health and public protection risks warranted it. The scheme has now concluded but may recommence if future public health and public protection risks require it.
We continue to work with councils and charities to secure suitable accommodation, while investigating long-term solutions to help offenders turn their backs on crime and to prevent homelessness.