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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Rough sleeper numbers in England rise for seventh year running | Rough sleeper numbers in England rise for seventh year running |
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| An estimated 4,751 people bedded down outside overnight in 2017, up 15% on previous year | An estimated 4,751 people bedded down outside overnight in 2017, up 15% on previous year |
| Patrick Butler | Patrick Butler |
| Thu 25 Jan 2018 09.48 GMT | Thu 25 Jan 2018 09.48 GMT |
| Last modified on Thu 25 Jan 2018 11.41 GMT | |
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| Rough sleeping has risen for the seventh consecutive year in England, latest official figures show, | |
| Statistics published by the government on Thursday reveal that an estimated 4,751 people bedded down outside overnight in 2017, up 15% on the previous year. | Statistics published by the government on Thursday reveal that an estimated 4,751 people bedded down outside overnight in 2017, up 15% on the previous year. |
| The figures, based on snapshot street counts and paper estimates by local authorities, show that London, where figures rose by 18%, remains the centre of rough sleeping, accounting for nearly a quarter of all rough sleepers. | The figures, based on snapshot street counts and paper estimates by local authorities, show that London, where figures rose by 18%, remains the centre of rough sleeping, accounting for nearly a quarter of all rough sleepers. |
| The rest of England recorded a 14% rise, with the biggest regional increase in the north west (39%), where rough sleeping has almost doubled over the past two years, and quadrupled since 2010. Hotspots included Tameside, Salford and Manchester. | |
| There was also evidence that rough sleeping has increased rapidly in areas of the wider south east, where Oxford, Southend-on-Sea, Thanet, Swindon, Medway, Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing, Peterborough, Reading and Wiltshire all recorded rises at at least double the national average. | |
| When population size is taken into account, the statistics show that 92 local authorities had rough sleeping rates that were worse than the national picture. Some 32 authorities, including Barking and Dagenham and Barnsley, claimed to have had zero rough sleepers | |
| Homelessness charities called the figures a catastrophe and and a scandal, while Labour blamed government policies for what it called “shameful “ figures and promises to eliminate rough sleeping in the first term of a Labour administration. | Homelessness charities called the figures a catastrophe and and a scandal, while Labour blamed government policies for what it called “shameful “ figures and promises to eliminate rough sleeping in the first term of a Labour administration. |
| The government has pledged to halve rough sleeping by 2022, and eradicate it completely by 2027. | The government has pledged to halve rough sleeping by 2022, and eradicate it completely by 2027. |
| The north London borough of Camden posted a 647% increase, though this appears to correct a huge underestimate the previous year. It had estimated it had just 17 rough sleepers in 2016, but this rose to 127 last year. | |
| However, John Healey, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, commenting on new rough sleeping statistics released today which have shown that rough sleeping has reached its highest level this decade, said: | However, John Healey, Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, commenting on new rough sleeping statistics released today which have shown that rough sleeping has reached its highest level this decade, said: |
| “These shameful figures are a terrible reminder of the consequences of a Conservative Government. | “These shameful figures are a terrible reminder of the consequences of a Conservative Government. |
| “The number of people sleeping rough fell under Labour but has more than doubled since 2010, and is up for the seventh year in a row under the Tories. | “The number of people sleeping rough fell under Labour but has more than doubled since 2010, and is up for the seventh year in a row under the Tories. |
| “This is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative Ministers: a steep drop in investment for affordable homes, crude cuts to housing benefit, reduced funding for homelessness services, and a refusal to help private renters. | “This is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative Ministers: a steep drop in investment for affordable homes, crude cuts to housing benefit, reduced funding for homelessness services, and a refusal to help private renters. |
| “A Labour government will end rough sleeping within its first term in office, and tackle the root causes of rising homelessness.” | “A Labour government will end rough sleeping within its first term in office, and tackle the root causes of rising homelessness.” |
| Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said: “Another huge rise in the number of men and women sleeping rough in England, for seven years in a row and 169% since 2010, is shocking and a scandal. While the manifesto commitment from the government on rough sleeping and the initial steps taken to achieve the target is welcome, the latest figures serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgency.” | Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said: “Another huge rise in the number of men and women sleeping rough in England, for seven years in a row and 169% since 2010, is shocking and a scandal. While the manifesto commitment from the government on rough sleeping and the initial steps taken to achieve the target is welcome, the latest figures serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgency.” |
| The chief executive of Crisis charity, Jon Sparkes said: “It is truly a catastrophe that in a country as prosperous as this, more and more people are finding themselves forced to sleep in dangerous and freezing conditions, when we have evidence to show how the situation could be turned around.” | The chief executive of Crisis charity, Jon Sparkes said: “It is truly a catastrophe that in a country as prosperous as this, more and more people are finding themselves forced to sleep in dangerous and freezing conditions, when we have evidence to show how the situation could be turned around.” |
| Ian Brady, Depaul UK’s interim, chief executive said: “Without a determined response, we risk returning to the extremely high levels of rough sleeping we saw in the 1980s and 1990s.” | Ian Brady, Depaul UK’s interim, chief executive said: “Without a determined response, we risk returning to the extremely high levels of rough sleeping we saw in the 1980s and 1990s.” |
| Homeless Link chief executive Rick Henderson said: “This rise in rough sleeping is appalling, with a saddening growth in the number of people without a safe place to stay, and at risk of deteriorating mental and physical health.” | Homeless Link chief executive Rick Henderson said: “This rise in rough sleeping is appalling, with a saddening growth in the number of people without a safe place to stay, and at risk of deteriorating mental and physical health.” |
| Rough sleepers are defined for the purposes of official counts as people sleeping, about to bed down or bedded down on the street, in doorways, parks, tents, bus shelters, cars, barns, sheds and other places not designed for habitation. It does not include people in hostels or shelters or formal temporary accommodation. | Rough sleepers are defined for the purposes of official counts as people sleeping, about to bed down or bedded down on the street, in doorways, parks, tents, bus shelters, cars, barns, sheds and other places not designed for habitation. It does not include people in hostels or shelters or formal temporary accommodation. |
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