London (AFP) – New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled plans Wednesday to offer those sleeping rough a way off the streets by Christmas, as part of his bid to curb homelessness. “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station. But we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it,” Burnham said in a statement, referring to the UK parliament.
The announcement comes a month after Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as prime minister, and builds on his promise on his first day in office to end rough sleeping. His government is now setting out the next steps in how that could be achieved, with emergency accommodation and long-term housing support to be put in place across England this winter.
Burnham expressed his disbelief that the fifth-largest economy in the world cannot “get our own people off the streets,” writing in The Guardian: “I don’t believe it for a minute.” Under the programme, areas facing the highest levels of homelessness and housing pressure will receive the largest share of a boosted £442 million ($666 million) in funding.
The number of rough sleepers in England reached a record 4,793 in 2025, according to government figures. Rough sleepers — those sleeping outdoors — are a minority of England’s total homeless, estimated at 382,000 in 2025 by leading charity Shelter. This larger figure includes those lacking a permanent residence or security of tenure, and includes families and children.
The figures show little sign of budging, with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank warning earlier this year that the numbers could increase by 25 percent by 2030. Burnham cited efforts to move rough sleepers into temporary accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying in his statement that “we can do it again.” He also vowed to end rough sleeping during his almost-decade long stint as mayor of the northern city of Manchester, but ultimately failed despite some initial success.
– Helping ‘thousands’ –
He pledged on Monday that the government would convene the first national summit dedicated to tackling rough sleeping later in the year. Burnham also stressed it will be up to local leaders, including mayors, to drive the action before Christmas.
The government said the funding package would not only provide immediate accommodation, but also support the creation of more than 1,000 permanent homes over the next three years. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the government was moving “urgently” following Burnham’s pledge. “This funding will help thousands of people leave the streets behind, move into secure homes and get the support they need to rebuild their lives,” she said.
Charities broadly welcomed the announcement, but there was scepticism from other political parties. The opposition Conservatives housing spokesman James Cleverly said it had been presented “without any plan for delivery.” “And as with many of his other commitments, there is very little detail on how this one will be paid for,” he added.
© 2024 AFP
