Funding set to double for plan to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas
The UK government is doubling funding to £874m to support a pledge to end rough sleeping in England by Christmas. Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to provide emergency accommodation and support services to address the issue, despite criticism from opposition figures regarding past performance.
Why it matters
This represents a significant fiscal commitment to a major social welfare goal, impacting thousands of vulnerable individuals and testing the government's ability to deliver on early campaign promises.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The pledge was one of Burnham's key early announcements after becoming prime minister in July
Funding is set to double to support a pledge by the prime minister to give every rough sleeper in England a route off the streets by Christmas.
Ending rough sleeping was one of Andy Burnham's first promises when he entered Downing Street, announcing a £442m package to provide emergency accommodation and practical support.
Ahead of the first Rough Sleeping Summit at Downing Street on Monday, No 10 has indicated a further £432m will be added to the initiative in Wednesday's Budget.
Shadow housing secretary Katie Lam said rough sleeping had hit "record highs under Labour" and criticised Burnham for failing to end rough sleeping when he was the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
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