PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (28 October 1997)

That this House believes that young people are eager to take up the opportunity of high quality training and employment; is concerned that the Government ensures that the special needs of homeless and badly housed young people are addressed as part of the welfare to work programme; believes that young people need stable accommodation, appropriate support and basic skills to enable them to undertake meaningful training and employment; further believes that the Gateway process must take into account the need for accommodation and support for homeless young people and is best provided by a partnership between existing statutory and voluntary agencies who have the knowledge, experience and flexibility to assist young people in their move to independence; seeks to ensure that young people facing difficulties and in need of support are not penalised further by loss of benefit which may lead to homelessness; and calls on the Government to ensure that the welfare to work programme is based on a thorough and comprehensive assessment of all an individual's needs.

Sponsored by:
Mrs Helen Clark (Labour)