Andy Burnham, the newly appointed Prime Minister, has made a bold pledge to tackle the issue of rough sleeping in the UK. In his inaugural speech, Burnham vowed to end long-term rough sleeping across the country, marking a significant shift in policy. This commitment comes as a response to the alarming rise in rough sleeping statistics, with an estimated 4,793 people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025 in England, according to the Westminster government's latest annual statistics. The situation is particularly dire in Greater Manchester, where the number of rough sleepers has increased year after year, reaching 197 in 2025, up from 149 in 2023 and 154 in autumn 2024.
Burnham's approach is multifaceted. He plans to invest £340 million to provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people in England over five years. This strategy builds upon his previous efforts as the mayor of Greater Manchester, where he aimed to end rough sleeping by 2020 but faced challenges due to housing shortages and cost-of-living pressures. The Bed Every Night scheme, which Burnham initiated and donated 15% of his salary to, now provides over 600 beds a night for those at risk of homelessness.
However, the path to ending rough sleeping is fraught with obstacles. Conservative shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly criticized Burnham's policy, questioning its financial feasibility and the lack of a detailed implementation plan. He argued that Burnham's previous promises in Manchester were unfulfilled due to insufficient effort. The issue of housing and homelessness is devolved in the UK, with the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish governments responsible for their respective strategies.
Despite these challenges, Burnham's pledge has garnered support from various quarters. Crisis chief executive Matt Downie praised the commitment, emphasizing the moral imperative to address rough sleeping and the need to shift from managing homelessness to ending it. The £340 million program announced by Burnham follows a similar initiative by the previous government, which allocated £3.6 billion to tackle homelessness.
Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping is a significant step towards addressing a pressing social issue. However, the success of this endeavor relies on effective collaboration between national and local governments, as well as a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying causes of homelessness. The challenge is immense, but with a dedicated approach, Burnham may just rewrite the norms on tackling homelessness and make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
