Nacro’s response to Spring statement

“It is welcome to see the Chancellor’s focus on the importance of housing and education in today’s Spring Statement. We know through our work with some of the most disadvantaged people across the country that having a safe and secure home is absolutely central to someone’s chances and opportunities in life. But too often high private market rents, insecure tenancies, and a lack of affordable and social housing mean this is simply out of reach.
“We are therefore pleased to see the government confirm commitments to boost the availability of affordable and social housing through increased funding to local authorities and building firms to increase supply by up to 300,000 each year within the next decade. However this must go hand in hand with a comprehensive housing strategy for vulnerable people to ensure that efforts to prevent homelessness as part of the Homelessness Reduction Act are not undermined by a lack of sustainable housing options.

“We are very encouraged to hear that £50 million will be available to help employers prepare for the rollout of T Level work placements from April 2018, and that a further £80 million will be released to support small businesses to introduce apprenticeships.  Many of the young people who attend one of the Nacro Education and Skills Centres across the country experience multiple barriers, have had breaks in their schooling or have not been able to complete their school career.  We know first-hand that a range of options is vital to help all young people succeed.”