RICHMOND upon Thames Council have been strongly criticised for their treatment of homeless families in the borough, by government housing minister Jeff Rooker.

In a letter to Twickenham MP Dr Vincent Cable, Mr Rooker refers to a recent case where a single mother was moved out of bed and breakfast accommodation by Richmond council and placed in a temporary home in Stanwell - too far from the borough to take up a job offer she had in Teddington.

The council said they had been instructed by the government to move all homeless families from bed and breakfasts by April this year. The government denies that this is the case, but says a target was set with the council's agreement two years ago, which they have been given money to help realise. Mr Rooker also criticises the council's failure to find accommodation near to public transport, to help people move off benefits and take up employment.

Dr Cable said: "I recognise that the council have a tough job accommodating homeless people because of the acute shortage of accommodation. But I have noticed in recent months a total lack of flexibility and an unwillingness to look at individual circumstances.

"A few months ago a child with serious special needs had to be moved from a school where he was settled because the council wouldn't reconsider a single offer which took the mother far away from transport routes. I hope the council takes this rebuke to heart and reconsider their inflexible approach."

Richmond council's cabinet member for social services and housing, Cllr Jean Matthews, said: "I am astonished at these comments, particularly in view of the consistently favourable reports on housing from government inspectors.

"Richmond has achieved its target of reducing households in bed and breakfast accommodation by 30 per cent each year since 2001 and has dramatically reduced the number of rough sleepers.

"Allegations accusing the council of a lack of flexibility and an unwillingness to look at individual circumstances are completely unfounded."

Regarding the specific case referred to, a council spokesman said: "We made what we considered was a reasonable offer. The property in Stanwell was the only one available for this client. However, we have given a commitment to finding the client a temporary home nearer her work when she has a start date."

END All cases are carefully considered and everything possible is done to assist. Against this it must be realised that accommodation is in very short supply and, with the best will in the world, we cannot always comply with every request."

"The government has set targets for local authorities in order that the number of people in B&B accommodation is steadily reduced. Jeff Rooker himself said recently that use of this accommodation will be outlawed' from April, when councils will be penalised if families remain over six weeks."

Regarding the specific case referred to by Mr Rooker, a council spokesman said: "We made what we considered was a reasonable offer. The property in Stanwell was the only one available for this client. However, we have given a commitment to finding the client a temporary home nearer her work when she has a start date."