Emma Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister, responding to today’s rough sleeping figures which show a 14 per cent annual increase and a 55 per cent increase since 2010, said:

“These shocking figures show a significant rise in the number of people sleeping on our streets since David Cameron became Prime Minister. Sleeping rough has a devastating impact on people’s lives and it is disgraceful the Tories have not only failed to act, but that their policies have made things worse.

“The Prime Minister once said homelessness and rough sleeping were a disgrace. But warm words are cold comfort to those sleeping rough if you fail to act.

“Rising housing costs and low pay have made it more and more difficult for people to keep a roof over their head. The Tory-led Government has presided over the lowest levels of housebuilding in peacetime since the 1920s, a drop in the number of affordable homes being built and policies like the Bedroom Tax have made things even worse.

“Labour is committed to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping by building more affordable homes, tackling low pay by raising the minimum wage, getting a fairer deal for private renters, and abolishing the unfair Bedroom Tax.”