Prime Minister 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 move was announced ahead of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
In his letter, Burnham will ask councils to draw up a specific plan to tackle homelessness among the ex-forces community, working with local organisations and charities supporting them. The pledge is part of the Prime Minister's wider plan to offer everyone currently sleeping rough a bed this winter.
Prime Minister's Commitment
Burnham 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. He stated: "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."
He added: "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."
Funding and Support
The Prime Minister's overall commitment to end rough sleeping is backed by investing an additional £874 million to make an overall record of £4.4 billion 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. Burnham is also urging any veterans who are sleeping rough, or those supporting them, to call the UK-wide helpline on 0800 9520774, which can connect them directly with housing and other specialist support.
Broader Mission
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, Burnham insisted his plans to tackle homelessness across the country were "permanent".
