AN MP has criticised the UK Government after Denbighshire has seen a significant increase in the number of people receiving council-funded emergency accommodation.

Figures show that since 2015 there has been a 125 per cent increase in the number of people provided with emergency accommodation by Denbighshire County Council, while the number of people presenting themselves as homeless rose by nearly 15 per cent.

The increases have resulted in the council's spending on temporary and B&B accommodation rise from £34,000 in 2013-14 to just over £250,000 in 2017-18.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said the figures gathered by Denbighshire County Council are evidence that UK Government policies "are playing out at local level with devastating effects".

“In Denbighshire there are just 18 members of staff in the homeless prevention team trying to provide as good a service as possible to some of the most vulnerable and desperate people in our communities,” Mr Ruane said.

“There are many factors as to why someone might need access to emergency or temporary accommodation but one of the biggest at the moment is Universal Credit.

"There has also been a build-up of other factors, with precarious employment and zero-hour contracts, Bedroom Tax and changes to Housing Benefit entitlement, as well as low-paid jobs and unemployment. This means people are ending up losing their homes.

“Despite consistent warnings from local authorities, advice organisations and MPs the government has pushed ahead with this ridiculous, discredited system and individuals, families, landlords and local authorities are bearing the brunt of the consequences.

“The government needs to take a long hard look at how its policies are impacting on the country.”