A LEADING member of Thurrock's Labour administration has welcomed news that Thurrock Council will receive an additional 39% in government funding to prevent homelessness and tackle rough sleeping – bringing the total funding the council will receive up to £1,941 million in 25/26.

The news was announced today (Wednesday, 18 December) and was greeting warmly by Labour's portfolio holder m for Housing, Cllr Mark Hooper.

He said: "The level of homelessness in Thurrock – and across our country - is a disgrace, and it high time we had a government determined to stamp it out.

"Here in Thurrock, we have seen homelessness rise by over a fifth in the last year and, nationally, we have 123,000 households living in temporary accommodation, including almost 160,000 children.

"This funding will help Thurrock council support families at risk of homelessness and give us extra resources to prevent rough sleeping too. 

"On top of this, I am pleased Labour is banning no fault evictions, putting £500m in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme – helping deliver 5,000 new social homes – and allowing councils to keep 100% of receipts from all Right to Buy sales, enabling us to build more social housing for Thurrock families.

"Everyone understands turning Thurrock around will take time – but announcements like today's are a clear sign that the work of change has well and truly begun."