COUNCIL spending on placing homeless families in temporary accommodation has increased over the past five years - despite the number of people needing help dropping.

Since 2013, Barrow Borough Council has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on keeping those without a home off the streets, according to data obtained under freedom of information laws.

Hostels and bed and breakfasts are often used by the council to house people.

It is the responsibility of local authorities to house people who make a homelessness application.

Since 2013 the number of people being placed in temporary accommodation has fallen by 37 per cent.

The figure has dropped from 86 to 63.

In the last financial year the council spent around £152,000 on temporary accommodation.

Five years ago the spend stood at £30,000.

The bulk of the money is spent on running costs for council-owned accommodation.

Other costs include preventative measures such as the No Second Night Out programme to help rough sleepers.

Employment costs are listed as another of the council’s biggest expenses.

Dave Pidduck, the leader of Barrow Council, said: “Of course it is good that the number of people who are homeless has dropped.

“I think the increase in spend will have come from an increase in costs over the years.

“It is our responsibility as a council to provide people with a place to stay.

“As well as this it is part of our Christian tradition to help vulnerable people off the streets.

“And as a member of the Labour Party it is in our DNA to help people who are vulnerable or less fortunate.”

Figures also showed the length of time people were staying in temporary accommodation had increased.

In 2013/14 the average length of stay was five weeks. According to the figures, the average in 2017/18 was 10 weeks. Housing counts as temporary if you made a homelessness application.