Mum forced to sofa surf since being pregnant gets new home

COUNCIL MAKES U-TURN AFTER REFUSING TO FOLLOW RECOMMENDATIONS

- By PHILIP JAMES LYNCH

A WEST London council has made a U-turn and agreed to house a mother and child after the local government watchdog ruled the council had failed her.

Originally, Hounslow Council refused to follow recommendations to house the woman and child despite her having been sofa surfing since pregnancy, when she first approached them for help.

However, after an intervention from Council Leader Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, and a public spat with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, the council will offer the woman, named Miss X in the report, and her child suitable housing at the next available opportunity.