Burnham Pledges to End Rough Sleeping in UK

Andy Burnham announced ending rough sleeping across the United Kingdom is his first policy as prime minister. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham committed to investing in preventative measures rather than managing the consequences of homelessness.

The government will allocate an additional £340 million to the effort, aiming to provide 1,200 homes and support for at least 3,000 people in England over five years. Burnham previously pledged to end rough sleeping in Greater Manchester by 2020, a goal he didn’t fully achieve despite implementing the “A Bed Every Night” scheme and pioneering a Housing First approach.

He attributes past difficulties to factors beyond his control, including a national housing shortage and an influx of people seeking help from Manchester. The latest national statistics recorded 4,793 people sleeping rough in England in autumn 2025, a record high. Burnham intends to replicate the collaborative “Everyone In” scheme from the Covid-19 pandemic, and hopes to work with local and national governments to address the crisis.