Politics · United Kingdom · 12 hrs ago
Burnham’s promise to get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas at risk
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to help every rough sleeper in England find a safe route off the streets or get wider support by Christmas.
The promise is under pressure as official figures show 8,748 people were sleeping rough in England in June, nearly 1,000 more than in January.
By the end of June, only 15% had found accommodation, the lowest share since August 2025.
Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi says the government hopes to offer every rough sleeper a bed, but there is a chronic shortage of suitable housing.
She says support could also include a plan for mental health or substance misuse, and people cannot be forced off the streets.
The government announced £442m in extra funding in August and another £432m from March 2027 to support people through the winter and beyond.
The Christmas pledge remains the goal, but the government has not said that everyone will be housed by then.
Andy Burnham’s pledge to get everyone sleeping rough in England a safe route off the streets by Christmas is in jeopardy amid rising rough sleeping and a shortage of housing.
There were 8,748 rough sleepers in England in June, the highest number since November 2025, according to official figures.
Only 15% had been found accommodation by the end of June, the lowest level since August 2025.
Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi said the government hoped to offer every rough sleeper a bed by Christmas, but said a route off the street could also involve other support.
A record 135,600 households in England were in temporary accommodation at the end of March 2026.
- Who
- Andy Burnham, the prime minister, has made the pledge. Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi outlined the government’s offer.
- What
- The government aims to offer rough sleepers a bed or another safe route off the streets by Christmas. The pledge is at risk amid rising numbers and a shortage of suitable housing.
- When
- The pledge is for Christmas 2026. The latest rough-sleeping figures cited are for June.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- Rising rough sleeping and a shortage of suitable housing are making the pledge difficult to meet.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The number of people sleeping rough in England increased by nearly 1,000.
In a speech on becoming prime minister, Burnham said his first instruction would be to end rough sleeping.
Burnham announced increased funding of £442m as part of a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas.
Burnham set out a further £432m in funding from March 2027 for a safe route off the streets and support.
Official figures recorded 8,748 rough sleepers in England, with 15% found accommodation by the end of the month.
- Rough sleepers in England
- 8,748 in June 2026
- Found accommodation
- 15% by the end of June 2026
- Temporary accommodation
- 135,600 households at the end of March 2026
- Funding announced in August
- £442m
- Further funding announced in October
- £432m from March 2027
What people are saying
We’re hoping to offer that, but what we are definitely offering is a route off the street for everyone who wants to take up that offer.
We cannot force people off the streets – we’ve got to respect that as well – but that offer will be there.
I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction: to end rough sleeping in our country.