Rise in homelessness 'fuelled by double-dip recession'

This surge in homelessness has been caused by a perfect storm of a double-dip recession made in Downing Street and sharp falls in housebuilding.

The Government's own figures show that social house completions dropped 97% in 2011/12 compared to the year before, and affordable housing by 68%.

That's why over the last two quarters the construction industry has contracted by 5% each quarter, a major reason that we are back in recession.

To help bring homelessness down and get the economy moving, the Government should use funds raised from a tax on bank bonuses to build thousands of affordable homes.