Burnham Pledges Christmas End to Rough Sleeping, Expands Disabled Travel

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a national initiative aimed at housing all rough sleepers in England by Christmas, drawing parallels to the successful "Everyone In" campaign during the pandemic. This ambitious plan is supported by a £100 million pledge, adding to a total of £442 million dedicated to ending street homelessness. Burnham has urged local leaders to collaborate and provide a pathway off the streets for everyone this winter, emphasizing that no one should be left to sleep rough.

In parallel, Burnham's administration is expanding free bus travel for disabled individuals across England, allowing them to use their passes at any time starting April 2027. This policy extension, building on its success in Greater Manchester, seeks to ease financial burdens on vulnerable populations. The government is also taking public control of the West Midlands bus network, a significant move intended to safeguard jobs and improve public transport services amidst ongoing economic pressures.