A CUMBRIAN council is calling on the Government to appoint a dedicated minister to tackle the growing homelessness crisis.

Independent councillor Peter Little raised concerns over an increase in the problem across Allerdale, commending officers for their work to address it.

Allerdale council’s Armed Services Champion, who served in the Royal Logistic Corps in Germany and Iraq, was particularly concerned about the plight of veterans who find themselves on the streets. But he also acknowledged that people find themselves homeless for various reasons in what can be a complex problem.

He said: “Many people find themselves homeless due to a number of factors – the breakdown of a marriage, ex-service personnel struggling to adapt to civilian life, financial burdens.

“These are the harsh realities we face nationally, and I personally find it upsetting that homelessness is reaching crisis point.”

Mr Little, who volunteers at a night shelter in Workington, said he felt it was the council’s “duty” to support those less fortunate and to make sure that they, too, are a part of Allerdale’s ambitions.

Councillors unanimously backed his calls for the authority to continue its work with charities, and to ask the Government to “review” its legislation.

Mr Little’s motion also asked the Government to do more to raise awareness and for councillors to pledge their support to the Diocese of Carlisle and the night shelter in Workington.

Councillor Andy Semple introduced an amendment calling on the Government to appoint a special minister for homeless intervention and to invest more money in developing a more long-term solution.

“We could made homeless tomorrow, but we are as it were waist deep in our problems where a lot of homeless people are up to their necks,” he said.

Labour leader Alan Smith blamed the problem on the “last nine years of Conservative government austerity” including the cutting of grants to councils.

But Steven Stoddart, who holds the housing portfolio, thanked central Government for an allocation of £400,000 to tackle homelessness through their £112m rough-sleeping grant. A second amendment from councillor Alan Pitcher introduced an amendment highlighting PTSD among homeless veterans.