Charities have given a mixed response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves Comprehensive Spending Review.

Plans in her review, which outlines the government’s long term spending plans, to spend £39bn on boosting social and affordable housing have been welcomed by homelessness charities.

Fran Darlington-Pollock, chief executive of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which campaigns for more affordable housing, said: “£39 billion into affordable homes programmes gives certainty for people at the sharp end of an entirely avoidable housing crisis, and should be celebrated.

“The overall package of investment in housing through Homes England must enable delivery of genuinely affordable housing for all. Invest here, save costs for everyone down the line.”

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link says Reeves’ announcement on housing “brings much welcome financial clarity and investment to prevent and end homelessness”.

He added: “We look forward to working closely with government on taking forward the financial clarity provided by this Spending Review to inform a wider homelessness strategy that delivers the transformative change we need to see to prevent and end homelessness for good.”

However, some government departments have seen their day-to-day budgets cut, by 1.7% at the Home Office and by 6.9% at the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, there are also cuts at Department for Transport, Environment and Rural Affairs and Business and Trade.

Health and social care

Spending on the NHS will rise by 3% a year after inflation.

Jessica Gallier-Booth, chief executive and founder of North West of England based suicide prevention charity Martin Gallier Project said: "The decision to allocate the largest budget to the Department of Health and Social Care signals a welcome commitment from the new Labour government to support recovery and reform in a sector left in chaos after years of austerity.

"But this funding will only be meaningful if it reaches the services that need it most - grassroots charities providing vital services at the heart of the community."

In addition £1bn has been announced for children’s social care, which has been welcomed by Family Rights Group chief executive Cathy Ashley to help ensure families get access to “help early before problems escalate”.

“The need for urgent action is clear,” Ashley added.

“There are record numbers of children in the care system, many isolated living far away from family and friends. One in three children are living in poverty and families are struggling to parent in conditions of adversity.

But there are concerns that there isn’t a similar hike in adult social care spending in the Review.

Kate Terroni, chief executive of care charity United Response, said: “The lack of funding announced in the Spending Review gives little confidence that there will be the ambitious change people drawing on social care deserve.

"Underfunding leaves those who need support most at risk of facing fewer choices, more disruption, and less stability.

“We understand the conflicting cost pressures facing the government but meaningful investment in community services is vital to supporting people to lead full lives.

"The government’s aspiration is clear; a strengthened country and improvements for working people’s lives. Social care is central to this to this mission, but we need the funding to achieve it."

Asylum seekers

Another measure announced by Reeves is to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.

Refugee charity Care4Calais, has welcomed the move but says the government must go further.

“Moving from former commercial hotels to accommodation situated within communities would be welcome, but what the Government really needs to end is the for-profit asylum accommodation model that has created billionaires,” said Care4Calais chief executive Steve Smith.

“Asylum accommodation should be provided based on the needs of people seeking asylum, not the profits of private owners and shareholders. Involving local authorities in the delivery of accommodation in their areas would be a first step in that direction.”

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