'Everyone in for Christmas' - Burnham unveils rough sleeping plan
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £442m initiative to provide emergency accommodation for all rough sleepers in England by Christmas. The plan aims to address the rising homelessness crisis, though critics have questioned the lack of specific details regarding funding and implementation.
Why it matters
This represents a significant policy shift in addressing the UK's homelessness crisis, which has seen a 96% increase in rough sleeping over the last five years.
Image source, PA Media By Michael Buchanan & Eleanor Lawrie BBC Social Affairs Published 23 minutes ago Every rough sleeper in England will be offered accommodation this winter, the prime minister has said.
Andy Burnham made ending rough sleeping his first pledge when entering Downing Street in July and now says he wants "to get everyone in for Christmas".
Emergency accommodation will be provided to end the need for rough sleeping alongside practical support for any health needs, as part of a £442m package.
Shadow housing secretary James Cleverley said there was "little detail" about how the initiative would be paid for or delivered.
Homeless charity Crisis said the announcement was "really significant".
"It marks a turning point in our country that we're not going to tolerate people being forced to sleep on the streets," a spokesperson said.
The previous Conservative government had pledged to end rough sleeping by 2024.
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