In his first major policy announcement, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed £340m of public money to assist in ending rough sleeping.

He says the current rough sleeping crisis is caused by years of national government failure and Westminster turning a blind eye to the problem.

A statement from Downing Street says: “The Prime Minister rejects the notion that ending rough sleeping will take decades or that it can’t be done at all. 

“The experience of ‘Everyone In’ during the pandemic, showed that with the right political will, it can be done. He is clear that the rough sleeping crisis has been caused by years of systemic failure in national policy. Westminster has too often turned a blind eye to rough sleeping, which has been all too apparent to local leaders.” 

The new funding is the first phase of investment in a wider five-year programme that Burnham’s administration says will provide homes and support for thousands of the people facing the most severe and long-term homelessness. 

Further steps will be set out before the autumn.

The statement continues: “This effort will benefit everyone: transforming the lives of people who have spent long periods on the streets, strengthening towns and communities, and reducing the pressure that repeated crisis interventions place on the NHS, the criminal justice system and other public services.  

“Local leaders will lead the delivery of the programme, building on proven local-led approaches that have helped to tackle rough sleeping in communities across the country. 

“The new funding, which represents the opening investment, will provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people.”

Burnham himself says: “For too long, we’ve been told that ending rough sleeping will take decades or even that it’s impossible. I’m not having that. 

“This is something a government can fix if it chooses to. Today, I’m choosing to.

“On my first day as Prime Minister, I’m announcing this government’s commitment to finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity.”

Burnham’s pledge received a cool response from shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly, who says: “There is precious little detail on how this [end to rough sleeping] will be paid for. 

“Burnham must come clean on what other MHCLG [Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government] programmes have been salami-sliced to fill the gap.

“In Manchester, Burnham promised to end rough sleeping but failed because he didn’t do the hard work necessary. Now, again, he is making pledges without any plan for delivery.”