Andy Burnham urged to create devoted homeless unit in Downing Street to finish tough sleeping

EXCLUSIVE: The new PM pledged to end the blight of rough sleeping across Britain in his first address outside Downing Street, and now charities have set out the measures to finally end it

View 4 Images

Andy Burnham has been urged to introduce a dedicated homelessness unit at the heart of Government to help deliver his pledge to end rough sleeping.

The new PM vowed to end the blight of rough sleeping across Britain in his first speech outside Downing Street, and now charities and those who have experienced rough sleeping have set out the measures to finally end it.

Official statistics from earlier this year showed a record number of people slept rough on the streets of England in 2025, representing the fourth year in a row that numbers have risen.

An estimated 4,793 people spent the night in tents, doorways and parks on a single night in autumn 2025, up 3% year on year, and overtaking the previous peak of 4,751 in 2017.

Crisis called for a new unit that brings together government departments, mayors and local leaders and delivery partners to help deliver on this priority, driven by Downing Street.

They also suggested using the Housing First programme as a blueprint for the national strategy, and speeding up the delivery of £39 billion already committed for social and affordable housing.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “It is a landmark moment to see a new Prime Minister prioritising ending rough sleeping just minutes into the role. Rough sleeping is the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness.

“Thousands of people are forced to bed down on our streets each year – moving between night buses and 24-hour cafes, staying awake in doorways and facing unimaginable violence and cruelty. This is a reality that no one should have to experience.”

Before making the pledge in his first address on Monday, Mr Burnham visited the Passage Homeless Charity in London to help out and hear stories from those struggling.

As Greater Manchester mayor, Mr Burnham vowed to end rough sleeping in the region by 2020. Data shows he made major progress at the start, before figures begin to rise again.

As Mayor, he also donated 15% of his salary to a homelessness fund and the “A Bed Every Night” scheme.

Homeless charity St Mungos’ said housing was fundamental to ending rough sleeping – and the support that goes through it.

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive at St Mungo’s, said people with substance abuse issues or support needs could not just be put in housing, a support network was needed with it.

Ms Haddad also called for structures to stop people ending up straight back on the streets after being discharged from hospital, released from prison, or after claiming asylum.

She also pointed towards the success of teams who work with people for years, and called for a wider expansion of this.

Ms Haddad added: “It was an amazing act of political leadership for him to stand on the steps of Downing Street and commit to ending rough sleeping on day one.

“To make that happen he has to continue owning it personally, owning it from No10, and driving it from No10.”

Former rough sleeper Lee, 54, who now volunteers to help others, called for more outreach teams, so people knew what support was available, as well as more information about free or low cost activities.

He said: “It would be good if people in the local community could get in touch with the services that are in their community somewhere about the free and low-cost things that are happening in that area.

“A lot of times you go to a hostel and you’ve got somewhere to stay now and you’re warm and they’ll feed you, but the rest of the time there’s nothing to do.

“That can actually work against you, I knew I had that with my mental health issues.

“The person who’s in the most powerful, responsible position in the country is thinking about the people that are at the bottom of society, the people that are down and out.

I like the fact he’s thinking about the individuals at the bottom first, because then that will trickle up to everybody else.”

Kerri Douglas, 42, who slept rough in Westminster aged 13-24, welcomed the intervention, and said compassion was crucial.

She said: “I was forced to sleep rough as a child and in my early twenties and it was a deeply dehumanising experience.

“When you’re homeless and the odds are all stacked against you, you need help and not to be stigmatised or treated like a criminal.

“Now it seems like we have a leader who knows how to act with compassion and take an approach to homelessness which actually helps people. I’m feeling hopeful for the future.”