MPs urged to ensure homelessness bill vote

Inside Housing understands that by the time of the Conservative Party conference, at least 90 MPs had pledged privately to attend the second reading of the Homelessness Reduction Bill on 28 October, but more are expected to sign up. Under parliamentary rules, a minimum of 100 MPs need to attend to bring the debate to a vote – a ‘closure motion’ – which would stop the bill being talked out by MPs opposed to the bill’s proposed new duties on councils.

The bill, tabled by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, would introduce a duty on councils to prevent homelessness for households who are 56 days away from losing their home. The government is sympathetic to the bill’s aims. However private members’ bills often struggle to get through parliament because they have a limited amount of time, compared to government bills. The debate will also take place on a Friday – a day when MPs are typically in their constituency – and therefore parties do not whip their MPs to attend.

If MPs debate for too long on a bill in the House of Commons, then it cannot be put to a vote, effectively killing its chances of becoming law.

A number of MPs are known to deliberately ‘talk out’ private members’ bills they are opposed to. For instance, Labour MP Karen Buck’s bill to improve private rented conditions was talked out last year by Conservative MP Philip Davies.

The bill, however, has support from MPs in parties across parliament. The cross-party Communities and Local Government Select Committee has backed the legislation, but has suggested amendments which are likely to be included in the bill this week.

Crisis will hold a mass lobbying event on Wednesday to persuade MPs to attend the second reading.

Mr Blackman has been working to persuade his colleagues to turn up, and shadow housing minister John Healey is encouraging Labour MPs to attend. One insider said: “We can’t be complacent in any way.”

On Friday, Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “The second reading on 28 October will be critical, but unless we get more than 100 MPs along on the day, the bill could easily be blocked. The cross-party consensus is there, and we hope to see as many MPs as possible attending the debate and backing the bill.”