UK Reform

Prime Minister Andrew Burnham has called on local authorities to guarantee a pathway off the streets for every rough sleeper in England by Christmas, backing the promise with an extra £102 million for a 'COVID‑style' drive against homelessness. Burnham warned that rough sleeping has become so entrenched in England that it now looks like part of the landscape. This latest pledge cements the fight against homelessness as a cornerstone of his administration, even though ministers have stopped short of establishing legally enforceable targets. The new £102 million injection builds on the £340 million, three‑year fund Burnham unveiled outside No 10 immediately after taking office. That original package is earmarked to create 1,200 new homes and support 3,000 people over a five‑year period. The fresh money, by contrast, will be directed toward rapid‑response services such as health care, addiction treatment and other immediate assistance. Within the new sum, £8.4 million will b...