All local authorities will receive at least £30,000, with some receiving increases of 25 per cent higher than last year, including Newham, Solihull and Sunderland.

This is the first time that Communities and Local Government has awarded a three year settlement. This will help councils plan for the long term and achieve even more for their money. It will also help them meet the targets to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation by 50 per cent and end the use of bed and breakfast for 16 and 17 year olds by 2010.

Councils will be able to invest the funding in expanding successful prevention schemes such as rent deposit and mediation services which have contributed to huge falls in homelessness and make further reductions in rough sleeping by funding outreach and day centre services.