A North East-based homelessness charity has welcomed new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping.
Making his first speech as Prime Minister outside Downing Street today (Monday, July 20), Mr Burnham called for an end to long-term rough sleeping across the UK.
He launched a nationwide five-year drive backed by £340 million in new funding to provide homes and intensive support for the country’s most vulnerable.
Following the new PM's comments, North East-based homelessness charity, CEO Sleepout, has welcomed the announcement.
CEO of the charity, Bianca Robinson, said: "It's about time we heard this from a Prime Minister.
"For years, homelessness in the UK has been a stain on our national conscience. More than 382,000 people are currently homeless across the UK – enough to fill Wembley Stadium more than four times over – and around 175,000 of them are children.
"So, Andy Burnham's words will be music to the ears of charities like CEO Sleepout that have spent years fighting to turn the tide.
"But for those sleeping rough tonight, words are not enough. They need action, backed by a clear roadmap to make this ambition a reality.
"If the Prime Minister is serious about ending rough sleeping, power, funding and decision-making must be placed in the hands of local leaders who understand the challenges and can deliver lasting solutions.
"The North East is already showing what's possible. Kim McGuinness has made tackling child poverty her defining priority, and across both the North East Mayoral Combined Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority, we've seen renewed confidence, stronger collaboration and a region determined to lead.
"But homelessness is about far more than rough sleeping. It's families sofa surfing, children growing up in temporary accommodation, and parents lying awake wondering if they'll still have a roof over their head next month.
"We share the Prime Minister's ambition to make rough sleeping a relic of the past. But he will only achieve it if he hands regions like the North East the tools to succeed.
"If he does, the North East could be the blueprint for ending rough sleeping for good."
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Abu Ali, chairman of the charity, added: "We’re delighted to hear that Mr Burnham has pledged to end homelessness.
"This is a huge and growing problem in the country that hasn't been addressed correctly for far too long.
"We welcome Mr Burnham's intent and really hope he engages with the right stakeholders across the country to make a meaningful change, and we'd be delighted to assist in any way that we can."
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