Labour responds to latest figures on homelessness and rough sleeping

Paula Barker MP, Shadow Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Minister, responding to the latest figures on homelessness and rough sleeping, said:

"Despite a government promise to eradicate rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament, the numbers of people sleeping rough is going up yet again.

"The government cannot stand idly by while a toxic mix of rising rents, the cost of living crisis and a failure to end no-fault evictions hit vulnerable people.

"Labour would immediately ban Section 21 evictions and stabilise the economy to support families struggling to make ends meet."

Ends

Notes

• The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in Autumn 2022 was 3,069. This is the first increase since the peak of 2017. Emergency measures during the pandemic suppressed numbers in 2020 and 2021.
• Across England, excluding London, there were 2,211 people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2022, up 23% from last year.  
• Overall, this represents an increase of 858 people or 63% since 2010 when the Conservatives came to power.  
• Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)