Ministers are planning to clamp down on London councils that move vulnerable homeless families out of the capital, a practice critics describe as 'dumping'. Official figures reveal that around 1,300 families were relocated from London to other parts of England in the year to March 2025, nearly double the 670 recorded in the 12 months to March 2023.
Families Sent to Deprived Areas
Families have been placed in cheap homes in some of the poorest regions, including Blackpool and Hartlepool. MPs and charities argue that vulnerable individuals, such as women fleeing domestic abuse, are being coerced into choosing between rough sleeping or moving far from their support networks.
Charities report that some women have returned to their abusers rather than relocate to northern towns, while others remain in emergency refuges. The Labour MP for Hartlepool, Jonathan Brash, accused London councils of 'dumping a crisis on to northern communities'. He added that this behaviour 'is increasing tension in towns like Hartlepool as local people face massive challenges with housing and other public services. It is ripping at the social fabric of the community I represent.'
Political Response
Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Commons housing select committee, has suggested imposing a limit on the distance councils can move families. Alison McGovern, the homelessness minister, described the practice as a 'real worry' and said the government is ready to 'clamp down on the worst form of it'. A review is currently underway.
In a notable case, a family last year won a £1,100 payout from Enfield council after being moved to 'the other end of the country' and left in 'unsuitable accommodation' for three months. An investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman found the council at fault for 'disrupting' the lives of a mother and her two children as they fled domestic abuse.
Exceptions and Legal Framework
Any potential ban on long-distance moves is likely to include exceptions for individuals who need to leave London based on their circumstances. Under the Housing Act, local authorities must, 'so far as reasonably practical', find accommodation within their borough. If that is not possible and relocation is necessary, the council must legally notify the receiving local authority. However, several London councils have been found to have acted unlawfully in recent years.
