THE Government has hit back after Oxford City Council claimed funding was insufficient to eliminate homelessness.

Yesterday the Oxford Mail reported how the local authority is preparing to spend up to £1.3m on housing between 20 and 25 homeless people in the Simon House hostel after it is decommissioned by Oxfordshire County Council and then build a new building in 2019.

Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman Matthew Macguire said: “We’re determined to create a country that works for everyone and have committed to eliminate rough sleeping entirely.

“Oxford is receiving nearly £800,000 trailblazer funding to trial new approaches to preventing homelessness, working with a wider group of at risk people to help families and individuals before they reach crisis point.

“The government is investing £550 million to 2020 to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. We’re also implementing the Homelessness Reduction Act, which will require councils to provide early support to people at risk of becoming homeless.”

Last year there had been worries problems with homelessness would soar because of £1.5m cuts made by the government.

City council housing boss Councillor Mike Rowley said: “The Government simply doesn’t provide enough funding, but here in Oxford we’re not prepared to just let the situation worsen, which is why Oxford City Council has gone beyond its statutory duty in tackling rough sleeping.”