Burnham's pledge to get rough sleepers in by Christmas in doubt as numbers rise in England
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's promise to offer every rough sleeper in England a route off the street by Christmas is in jeopardy as numbers rise and housing is scarce. Government figures show 8,748 people slept rough in June.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to get "everyone in for Christmas" is in doubt, as the number of people sleeping rough in England climbs and the country faces a severe shortage of affordable housing. The goal is a central plank of his government's approach to homelessness.
Government statistics show 8,748 people were sleeping rough in England in June, the highest figure since November 2025 and nearly 1,000 more than in January. By the end of June only 15% had been found accommodation, the lowest share since August 2025, as councils struggle to meet demand for temporary and affordable housing.
The minister's position
Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi said the government hopes to offer a bed to every rough sleeper by Christmas, but acknowledged a chronic shortage of suitable housing. Asked whether everyone would be offered accommodation within six weeks, she said a route off the street would be offered to all who want it.
She said that route does not necessarily mean housing. For some it could be a plan focused on mental health or substance misuse. She added that people cannot be forced off the streets.
Causes and funding
Councils say the number of homeless families is rising because of the shortage of affordable homes, record demand for temporary accommodation and a long freeze on local housing allowance. Frontline workers are also worried about the prisons early release scheme, with some offenders freed without stable housing, and a surge of no-fault evictions before the practice was banned on 1 May.
A record 135,600 households in England were in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs and hostels at the end of March 2026, about 90% more than a decade ago.
Burnham became prime minister on 20 July. In August he announced £442m in extra funding, and in October a further £432m from March 2027. Eshalomi said she is working with councils and housing associations to bring empty or derelict properties into use, and that the ultimate solution is building more homes.
