Burnham launches ‘national drive’ to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas
Prime minister urges local leaders to act as homelessness campaigners welcome move but say more needs to be done
TL;DR
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged another £100 million to end rough sleeping by Christmas.
- He is urging local leaders to offer all rough sleepers a route off the streets.
- The initiative is described as a Covid-style campaign, aiming to replicate the success of the 'Everyone In' scheme.
- The funding will support additional services such as medical care and addiction support.
- Homelessness campaigners welcome the move but stress the need for long-term solutions to the temporary accommodation crisis.
- A record 4,793 people were sleeping rough in England as of autumn 2025.
- Previous prime ministers have also pledged to end rough sleeping, with mixed success.