Homelessness complaints made to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) fell by over a quarter last year, it was revealed today.
Inspectors were required to investigate 27% fewer grievances about families living in unsuitable B&B accommodation in the year leading to October 2014 than in the previous 12 months.
However the LGO stressed the issue ‘had not disappeared’, with some families still not being treated in accordance with the law.
A recent case saw a family of five claiming they were forced to live in B&B accommodation for nearly 13 weeks after leaving their home, over twice the length of the six-week legal limit.
Dr Jane Martin, local government ombudsman, said: ‘I am pleased to see our investigations are showing fewer concerns about the way councils are responding to the issue of homelessness.
‘We hope this shows local authorities are learning from the cases we have published.’
MPs on the education select committee last year called for a ban on councils using B&Bs to house vulnerable children. The Government accepted that youngsters should spend no more than two days in such accommodation yet raised fears that outlawing the measure could raise homelessness.