The problem of rough sleeping is not just confined to London

Prescott Extends Initiative to Tackle Rough Sleeping

Mr Prescott is broadening the Rough Sleepers Initiative, originally confined to central London, by inviting bids for funding from around the country.

The move follows last week's launch by the Minister without Portfolio, Peter Mandelson, of the new unit to tackle social exclusion.

The Rough Sleepers Initiative, begun under the Tories, originally only allowed funding to local authorities in central London, where the homelessness problem was seen as most concentrated. A month after Labour came to power, Mr Prescott's new Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions opened the scheme up to 12 areas, including Manchester, Nottingham and Brighton.

Now Mr Prescott will highlight the Government's determination to combat homelessness in all parts of the country.

John Prescott: "Rough sleeping is unacceptable"

He said: "It is unacceptable that people should have to sleep on the streets. This is one of the manifestations of social exclusion. I am determined to achieve our aim of ensuring that rough sleeping is unnecessary".

The Government has put great significance on its desire to end social exclusion. The special unit set up to deal with the problem will report directly to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Its activities will be co-ordinated by Mr Mandelson and one of the Cabinet Office's most senior civil servants, Robin Young.

However, the Government's credentials as the friend of the poor could be dealt a blow by criticism from an advisory body to Social Security Secretary, Harriet Harman. It is expected that the Schools Curriculum Assessment Authority will issue a report urging her not to go ahead with the abolition of certain benefits to lone parents.

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