On August 19 (London time), according to AFP, new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a new plan on August 19 to address the homeless situation, and pledged to spend 15% of his salary to support activities in this field.
According to the plan, the British government will deploy emergency housing and long-term housing support across the country this winter, with the aim of helping homeless people have shelter before Christmas.
No one deserves to sleep outside the door or outside a station," Burnham said.
The move was made about 1 month after Mr. Burnham replaced Mr. Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
Areas under the greatest pressure on housing and with a high rate of homelessness will be prioritized in the budget package worth 442 million pounds (about 666 million USD).
Mr. Burnham said he will spend 15% of his salary to support anti-homelessness activities. According to sources, the British Prime Minister receives a salary of about 180,000 pounds (about 245,000 USD) per year.
According to UK government figures, the number of people who have to sleep on the streets in this country reached a record 4,793 people in 2025. Meanwhile, the charity Shelter estimates that the total number of homeless people in the UK reached 382,000 people in the same year.
This number includes people who do not have permanent residence or are not guaranteed housing, including families and children.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that the number of homeless people may increase by 25% by 2030.
Mr. Burnham cited the program of putting homeless people in temporary shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic and said that Britain "can do it again". However, in nearly a decade as Mayor of Manchester, he pledged to end the situation where people have to sleep on the streets, but ultimately failed to achieve the goal.
Mr. Burnham said the Government will hold the first national conference focusing on this issue at the end of this year. Local leaders will play an important role in implementing the pre-Christmas plan.
The British government said the new budget package not only provides immediate housing but also supports the construction of more than 1,000 long-term homes in the next 3 years.
Housing Minister Angela Rayner said the funding will help thousands of people move to stable housing and receive support to rebuild their lives.
Charities generally welcomed the plan, but some opposition parties questioned the funding and feasibility of the new commitments.
