Conservative politicians, including Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, have called on the government to boost Havering Council's funding as it faces a cost-of-living homelessness crisis.

They issued the calls after the Recorder reported that the council is braced for lawsuits as it anticipates being unable to accommodate homeless residents. 

Government has consulted over a proposed cut of up to 26 per cent of Havering's Homeless Prevention Grant.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said it is currently "considering responses" to the consultation, and "will continue to work with councils to ensure the most vulnerable are supported".

The council has said the move would force job cuts.

It added that local rents were now more than government allowed it to pay. 

“The moment I read that, I opened my laptop to write a letter,” said Tory councillor David Taylor. 

He sent it to Romford MP Andrew Rosindell and housing minister Paul Scully. 

Romford Recorder:

“I’m a councillor for the people of Romford first and a Conservative councillor second," he said. 

“If the wrong thing is done for my residents then I will stand up for them.”

Mr Rosindell said he would “lobby the government in order to tackle the growing homelessness issue”. 

“Over the course of my parliamentary career I have had meetings with and lobbied innumerable chancellors on the merits and needs of the council,” he said. 

“Despite my efforts, the government is yet to put in an adequate sum. 

“I will be persisting with the cause for however long it takes for the current administration to pour in the resources that the council needs.”

Romford Recorder:

Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Rainham and Dagenham, has already written to Simon Clarke, secretary of state for DLUHC.

He called for the Homeless Prevention Grant to be raised, along with the maximum rent the council can pay. 

He said cutting the grant would be “disgraceful”, particularly after a controversial mini-budget that gave “tax handouts to the wealthy”. 

“A direct consequence of this callous act will be to make it almost impossible for the local council to meet the growing demand from homelessness,” he said. 

Romford Recorder:

Julia Lopez, Tory MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, said she would meet council leader Ray Morgon to discuss how she could help.

DLUHC said Havering had received over £2m in Homeless Prevention Grant this year.

"We are currently considering responses to the recent consultation, and will continue to work with councils to ensure the most vulnerable are supported," it added.