Current consultations

When Homeless Link responds to government consultations, we respond as one voice that reflects the views and vast experience of our members. Here you can find out about the latest consultations we are responding to as well as consultations of interest. We welcome additional contributions to these responses from members.

To respond to a consultation that Homeless Link is submitting please email Helen Mathie in Homeless Link's Policy team, or come along to our next Policy Forum, if you are a Homeless Link member.

To find out more about consultations specific to London, please visit our London Page which has links to briefings and responses to consultations relating to homelessness in the captial.

Current Consultations

Mandatory consideration of revision before appeal

The DWP plans to reform the appeals process so that in future, claimants and other persons disputing a decision on their benefit claim, will follow an escalating process of mandatory reconsideration and formal appeal. The consultation states that this will allow the DWP to improve the appeals process and carry out a 'robust review' of the disputed decision.

The DWP outlines improvements to make the reconsideration more independent, with a different officer taking a fresh look at the decision and re-examining the evidence provided, and improve communication with claimants.

The consultation document is available from the DWP, the closing date is 4 May 2012.
Read our response

Select Committee Inquiry into the Alcohol Strategy

Following the publication of the Government’s Alcohol Strategy, the Health Committee is to hold an inquiry examining the Government’s proposals so far as they relate to health.

In addition to a number of questions relating to proposals such as minimum pricing and marketing, the Committee also seeks feedback on Whether the proposed reforms of the NHS and public health systems will support an integrated approach to future planning of services for people who experience alcohol-related harm.

This is an important opportunity to raise the need for servics which are accessible to the needs of homeless poeple and those with complex needs. Read about details of how to respond to the inquiry. The closing date is 8th May 2012

Community Sentences and Probation Consultation

The Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has set out proposals to strengthen community sentences and improve the probation service.

The plans state that they will 'ensure community sentences are a tough and credible punishment that better tackles reoffending, supported by modernising reforms to probation to cut crime'. The plans aim to 'make better use of the innovation, capacity and diversity of voluntary private providers, in partnership with the probation service'. With the close links between re-offending and homelessness, and many clients linked into probation services, these proposals are a good opportunity for the homeless sector to share their views about what improvements are needed.

Clinks have produced a briefing about the proposals. You can also read about the Community Sentences Consultation and Probation Consultation from the MOJ. Closing date for both are 22 June 2012

recent Submissions

In recent months Homeless Link has made numerous submissions in response to government consultations, white and green papers and select committees. These submissions have been made across a variety of government departments on issues including the NHS restructure, Housing Benefit changes, Evaluating the Extent of Rough Sleeping, and Drug Strategy, to name but a few. Please visit our Responses and Submissions page to see an overview or to download a particular response.