Andy Burnham makes contemporary tough sleeping vow to assist homeless veterans off the streets
The Prime Minister said nobody who served should be ‘left to sleep rough’, and that supporting them was now being addressed as a priority across local and national Government
Andy Burnham is set to personally write to councils in England asking them to develop plans to help veterans sleeping rough(Image: PA)
Andy Burnham is set to personally write to councils in England asking them to develop plans to help veterans sleeping rough ahead of the Christmas period.
The PM said nobody who served should be “left to sleep rough”, and that supporting them was now being addressed across local and national Government. In his letter to councils ahead of Armistice Day, he will ask them to draw up a specific plan to tackle homelessness amongst the ex-forces community, working with local organisations and charities supporting them.
The pledge, announced ahead of Remembrance Sunday, is part of the Prime Minister’s wider plan to offer everyone currently sleeping rough a bed this winter.
The PM said: “No one who has served our country should be left to sleep rough on our streets. It is a simple principle and, from now on, I am setting it as an operating principle for the whole of government, national and local.
“People who stepped forward prepared to put their lives on the line for the rest of us should never lack a roof over their head. When they need help, the country owes them more than warm words. It owes them a bed every night, a proper plan and someone in their corner from day one.
“Many councils are already doing a great job working with charities supporting the ex-forces community. With this new funding, they can take that to the next level and end the need for any veteran to sleep rough on any night.
“This is what I meant when I spoke about putting the right standards back at the heart of the country when I walked up Downing Street for the first time.”
The Prime Minister’s overall commitment to end rough sleeping is backed by investing an additional £874million to make an overall record of £4.4billion funding. To help the work of councils, £8.7 million is being allocated to eight organisations across the United Kingdom, including in Scotland, Liverpool and Kent, as part of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme.
This funding will help local housing providers offer assistance to veterans with complex needs, including health, addiction and employment services. The PM is also urging any veterans who are sleeping rough, or those supporting them, to call the UK-wide helpline on 0800 9520774. It will be able to connect them directly with housing and other specialist support.
Earlier this year the PM insisted “names not numbers” will drive his mission to eradicate rough sleeping. Hosting a summit on rough sleeping in Downing Street last month, the PM insisted his plans to tackle homelessness across the country were “permanent”.
