Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Post-War Homelessness Policy in the UK pp 149–192Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

1997–2010: The Restoration of Rights, Social Exclusion and Meta-governance

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 494 Accesses

Abstract

The Labour governments of 1997 to 2010 adopted the concept of social exclusion to explain social problems and this was reflected in their approach to tackling rough sleeping, where numbers reduced by approximately two thirds. For homeless families, the duties created by the 1977 Housing (Homeless Persons) Act were effectively restored by the 2002 Homelessness Act, and successful efforts were made to reduce the use of bed-and-breakfast hotels as temporary accommodation. A range of measures sought to direct the work of local authorities and voluntary organisations, which were reflected particularly in increased local authority interventions to prevent homelessness. Devolution of housing powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland led to divergence in homelessness policy, with Scotland adopting a particularly radical approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alcock, P., Kendall, J., & Parry, J. (2012). From the third sector to the Big Society: Consensus or contention in the 2010 UK General Election? Voluntary Sector Review, 3(3), 347–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin, A. (2008, September 24). Cleaned out. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/sep/24/homelessness.rough.sleepers

  • Benn, M. (2000). New Labour and social exclusion. Political Quarterly, 71(3), 309–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boswell, C. (2009). The political use of expert knowledge. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Boughton, J. (2018). Municipal dreams: The rise and fall of council housing. London, UK: Verso Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A. P. (2004). Anti-social behaviour, crime control and social control. The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 43(2), 203–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carvel, J. (2003, December 17). Westminster fights flood of soup runs. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2003/dec/17/homelessness.uknews

  • Cattell, J., & Mackie, A. (2011). Adults facing chronic exclusion programme: Evaluation findings. London, UK: Department for Communities and Local Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloke, P., May, J., & Johnsen, S. (2010). Swept up lives? Re-envisioning the homeless city. Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, I., & Nevin, B. (2004). The road to renewal: The early development of the Housing Market Renewal programme in England. York, UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couch, C., Lord, A., & Crocks, M. (2015). Questioning the concept of market failure in housing: The case of Housing Market Renewal in Liverpool. International Journal of Housing Policy, 15(4), 461–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, S. (2011). Outsourcing, public sector reform and the changed character of the UK state-voluntary sector relationship. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 24(7), 641–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department for Communities and Local Government. (2006a). A decent home: Definition and guidance for implementation June 2006—Update. London, UK: Department of Communities and Local Government. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-decent-home-definition-and-guidance

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Communities and Local Government. (2006b) Tackling the changing face of homelessness. Speech by Ruth Kelly MP at the Andy Ludlow Awards on 14 November 2006. Retrieved from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070701134647/http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=150446

  • Department for Communities and Local Government. (2008a). No one left out: Communities ending rough sleeping. London, UK: HM Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Communities and Local Government. (2008b). Area based grant, general guidance 2008. London, UK: Department for Communities and Local Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for Communities and Local Government. (2009). Homelessness prevention and relief: England 2009/10 experimental statistics. London, UK: Department of Communities and Local Government. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment.../1698295.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. (2000). Our future homes. London, UK: Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions. (2002). Homelessness strategies: A good practice handbook. London, UK: Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downe, J., Hartley, J., & Rashman, D. (2004). Evaluating the extent of inter-organizational learning and change in local authorities through the English beacon council scheme. Public Management Review, 6(4), 531–554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudleston, A., Alty, C., Henthorne, K., & Credland, S. (2004). The Act in action: As assessment of homelessness reviews and strategies. London, UK: Shelter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, N., & Pierson, C. (1998). Introduction. In N. Ellison & C. Pierson (Eds.), Developments in British Social Policy (pp. 1–14). Basingstoke, UK: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick, S., Pleace, N., & Bevan, M. (2005). Final evaluation of the rough sleepers’ initiative. York, UK: University of York, Centre for Housing Policy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, A., & Harding, J. (2006). Inclusion and exclusion in the re-housing of former prisoners. Probation Journal, 53(2), 139–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J., Irving, A., Fitzpatrick, S., & Pawson, H. (2013). Evaluation of Newcastle’s ‘co-operative’ approach to prevention and management of homelessness in light of changing government policy. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: Northumbria University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haugh, H., & Kitson, M. (2007). The Third Way and the third sector: New Labour’s economic policy and the social economy. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 31(6), 973–994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heffernan, R. (2011). Labour’s New Labour legacy: Politics after Blair and Brown. Political Studies Review, 9(2), 163–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heron, E., & Dwyer, P. (1999). Doing the right thing: Labour’s attempt to forge a new welfare deal between the individual and the welfare state. Social Policy and Administration, 33(1), 91–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hetherington, P. (2004, December 13). Charity claims housing law bent. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/dec/13/homelessness.politics

  • Hillman, S. (2010). The Foyer Federation: Aiming to transform the institutions and policies that currently help young people. Criminal Justice Matters, 80(1), 40–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Home Office. (2000). Listen Up. London, UK: Home Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnsen, S., & Fitzpatrick, S. (2007). The impact of enforcement on street users in England. York, UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A., & Pleace, N. (2010). A review of single homelessness in the UK 2000–2010. London, UK: Crisis and the University of York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, P., Lowe, S., & Spencer, S. (1999). Housing abandonment in inner cities—The politics of low demand for housing. Housing Studies, 14(5), 703–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J. (2006). Central regulation of English local authorities: An example of meta-governance? Public Administration, 84(3), 603–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knock, K. (2006). The North East referendum: Lessons learned? Parliamentary Affairs, 59(4), 682–693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurie, E. (2004). The Homelessness Act 2002 and housing allocations: All change or business as usual? Modern Law Review, 67(1), 48–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leather, P., & Nevin, B. (2012). The Housing Market Renewal Programme: Origins, outcomes and the effectiveness of public policy interventions in a volatile market. Urban Studies, 50(5), 856–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitas, R. (2005). The inclusive society? Social exclusion and New Labour (2nd ed.). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J. (2005). New Labour’s approach to the voluntary sector: Independence and the meaning of partnership. Social Policy and Society, 4(2), 121–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lund, B. (2004). Housing policy: Coming in from the cold? In N. Ellison, D. Bauld, & M. Powell (Eds.), Social policy review 16: Analysis and debate in social policy (pp. 13–28). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lund, B. (2016). Housing politics in the United Kingdom. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lupton, R. (2013). Labour’s record on Neighbourhood Renewal in England, Social Policy in a Cold Climate. Summary Working Paper 6. London School of Economics and Political Science, London: UK. Retrieved from http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/case/spcc/WP06_SUMMARY.pdf

  • Manwaring, R. (2016). From new/labour to Rudd/Gillard—Transferring social policy. Policy Studies, 37(5), 426–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • May, J., Cloke, P., & Johnsen, S. (2006). Shelter at the margins: New Labour and the changing state of emergency accommodation for single homeless people in Britain. Policy and Politics, 34(4), 711–729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKee, K., & Phillips, D. (2012). Social housing and homelessness policies. In G. Mooney & G. Scott (Eds.), Social justice and social policy in Scotland (pp. 223–228). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Millar, J. (2003). From wage replacement to wage supplement: Benefits and tax credits. In J. Millar (Ed.), Understanding social security: Issues for policy and practice (pp. 123–143). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. (2018). Local authority housing statistics: Year ending March 2017. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-housing-statistics-year-ending-march-2017

  • Ministry of Justice. (2011). Statistical notice: Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) statistics England and Wales 2010. London, UK: Ministry of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, G., & Scot, G. (2012). Devolution, social justice and social policy: The Scottish context. In G. Mooney & G. Scott (Eds.), Social justice and social policy in Scotland (pp. 223–228). Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moseley, A., & James, O. (2008). Central state steering of local collaboration: Assessing the impact of tools of meta-governance in homelessness services in England. Public Organization Review, 8, 117–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullins, D., & Niner, P. (1998). A price of citizenship? Changing access to social housing. In A. Marsh & D. Mullins (Eds.), Housing and public policy: Citizenship, choice and control (pp. 175–198). Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Audit Office. (2010). The Decent Homes Programme, summary report by the comptroller and auditor general. HC 212. Session 2009–2010. Retrieved from https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/0910212es.pdf

  • Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. (2003). Best value in housing and homelessness framework. Retrieved from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120920035507/http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/157311.pdf

  • Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. (2005). Survey of English local authorities about homelessness. London, UK: Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parr, S. (2009). Confronting the reality of anti-social behaviour. Theoretical Criminology, 13(3), 363–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pautz, H. (2011). New Labour in government: Think-tanks and social policy reform, 1997–2001. British Politics, 6(2), 187–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawson, H. (2007). Local authority homelessness prevention in England: Empowering consumers or denying rights? Housing Studies, 22(6), 867–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, J., & Vine, J. (2014). Quantifying residualisation: The changing nature of social housing in the UK. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 29(4), 657–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitts, J. (2003). Youth justice in England and Wales. In R. Matthews & J. Young (Eds.), The new politics of crime and punishment (pp. 71–99). Cullompton, Devon: Willan Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell, M. (2000). New Labour and the third way in the British welfare state: A new and distinctive approach? Critical Social Policy, 20(1), 39–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Power, A., & Mumford, K. (1999). The slow death of great cities? Urban abandonment or urban renaissance. York, UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Power, A., Ploger, J., & Winkler, A. (2010). Phoenix cities: The fall and rise of great industrial cities. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Quilgars, D., Johnsen, S., & Pleace, N. (2008). Youth homelessness in the UK: A decade of progress? York: UK: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, G., & Brown, S. (2002). Helping rough sleepers off the street. London, UK: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Homelessness Directorate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynsford, N. (2016). Substance not spin: An insider’s view of success and failure in government. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rough Sleepers Unit. (1999). Coming in from the cold. Retrieved from https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120920014720/http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/roughsleepersstrategy.pdf

  • Sanderson, I. (2002). Performance management, evaluation and learning in ‘modern’ local government. Public Administration, 79(2), 297–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. (2000, February 10). Death of the surcharge. Local Government Chronicle. Retrieved from https://www.lgcplus.com/death-of-the-surcharge/1390687.article

  • Stewart, J. (2014). An era of continuing change: Reflections on local government in England 1974–2014. Local Government Studies, 40(6), 835–850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tempest, M. (2006, January 10). Blair launches ‘respect’ action plan. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/jan/10/immigrationpolicy.ukcrime

  • Tomaney, J. (2000). End of the empire state? New Labour and devolution in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 24(3), 675–688.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Travers, T. (2004). Labour’s local record. New Economy, 11(2), 90–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wainwright, M. (2002, December 10). Cold ends blanket ban for homeless. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2002/dec/10/homelessness.uknews

  • Welsh Assembly Government. (2003). National homelessness strategy. Cardiff, Wales: Welsh Assembly Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welshman, J. (2013). Underclass. London, UK: Bloomsbury Publishing plc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteford, M. (2013). New Labour, street homelessness and social exclusion: A defaulted promissory note? Housing Studies, 28(1), 10–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilks-Heeg, S. (2009). New Labour and the reform of English local government, 1997–2007: Privatising the parts that Conservative governments could not reach? Planning, Practice and Research, 24(1), 23–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, S., & Lilly, A. (2016). Beacon Councils scheme case study. London, UK: Institute for Government. Retrieved from https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/beacon-councils-scheme.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W. (2015). Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) 1990–1999. House of Commons Library Standard Note SN07121, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W., & Barton, C. (2018a). Households in temporary accommodation (England). House of Commons Briefing Paper Number 02110, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W., & Barton, C. (2018b). Statutory homelessness in England. House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number 01164, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W., & Barton, C. (2018c). Comparisons of homeless duties in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. House of Commons Library Briefing Paper Number 7201, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Jamie Harding

Authors
  1. Jamie Harding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamie Harding .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Harding, J. (2020). 1997–2010: The Restoration of Rights, Social Exclusion and Meta-governance. In: Post-War Homelessness Policy in the UK. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22117-1_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation