Privateers 'cashing in' as councils spend more on homelessness

Councils across Yorkshire and the Humber spent significantly more on temporary homeless accommodation last year, new figures show.

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Homeless charity Shelter warned private providers are “cashing in” on the housing crisis by charging “eye-watering sums” for rooms.

Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show councils across Yorkshire and the Humber recorded about £45m in net spending - which is the difference between the total outgoings and income - towards temporary accommodation for the year to March.

It was a 37 per cent increase from the £32.9m nett spending in 2023-24, not adjusted for inflation.