Northampton MP speaks on "furniture poverty"
It's as figures show a quarter of social housing isn't sufficiently catered for
There are calls from MPs for the government to ensure households are properly furnished.
6 million people are living in "furniture poverty" in the UK, while a quarter of social housing isn't sufficiently fitted with furnishings.
Current figures show 26% of social housing tenants are affected, and 8% are living in ‘deep furniture poverty’, living without three or more essential items. Yet only 2% of social homes are let as furnished, compared to 29% in the private rental sector.
In his first Westminster debate - MP for Northampton South, Mike Reader, said it has a huge impact on the tenants:
"There is a link between families in insecure homes between their healthcare outcomes and pressure on local authorities and care organisations for them.
"Where they don't have good fabric in their homes - carpets, window coverings. They're seeing higher energy bills, which is typical for those in furniture poverty.
"It can lead to some families and some older members of the community not being able to have friends round and feeling isolated.
"60% of those in furniture poverty struggle to maintain healthy eating habits which has knock on impact, not only on the individual but also our health system."
Taking part in proceedings, Mr Reader says he hopes to press the issue with local authority bosses in Northamptonshire:
"Frustratingly, though my council has a cross-party anti-poverty task force, I'm yet to see a focus on furniture poverty.
"The issue is on an agenda to discuss when I meet with leaders."