The MP for Harrow East is celebrating having his Private Member’s Bill on homeless reduction passed in Parliament.

Bob Blackman went before the House of Lords for a third and final reading of his bill, which will help ensure rough sleepers get help when they need it.

It received no objections from Peers and was successfully passed, which means it is now in line to receive Royal Assent and pass into law before the end of the Parliamentary session.

His bill has received the support of national homelessness charities including Crisis, Shelter and St Mungo’s, landlord bodies including the National Landlords Association and Residential Landlords Association, as well as the backing from the Government.

Mr Blackman said: “I am immensely proud of everything that has been accomplished in this bill. It is profoundly wrong that homeless people who approach their council for help can be turned away to sleep on the street at the moment and that legislation in this area hasn’t changed for the last four decades.

“I served in local government for 24 years prior to becoming an MP and I have seen the devastation caused by homelessness first hand. Now councils will have a duty to work on preventing people who are in a difficult situation through no fault of their own from losing their home, and make sure all homeless people can get help when they need it, whilst still continuing to protect families with children from homelessness.

”I feel very grateful to have been given this opportunity to redress an issue I am passionate about and for the incredible support I have been shown by my colleagues in both Houses, by the Government, by charities, by the local government sector and many more.”