The UK government plans to double funding to £874 million to support Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to provide every rough sleeper in England with a route off the streets by Christmas. The initial £442 million package, announced after Burnham became prime minister in July, funds emergency accommodation and outreach teams, with further expansion planned across several cities. The additional £432 million, expected in the upcoming Budget, will extend support through to the end of the current Parliament.
Burnham emphasised that rough sleeping is a choice governments make to accept or not, and highlighted the need for collaboration with businesses, charities, and local leaders to create lasting solutions. However, critics including Shadow Housing Secretary Katie Lam have questioned the effectiveness of Burnham's previous efforts as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where rough sleeping numbers initially fell but later rose again. Homelessness organisations have welcomed the focus on rough sleeping but urge the government to also address prevention measures, such as restoring Local Housing Allowance rates to better reflect local rents.
Read the full story: BBC UK News.
Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.