Another Labour failure as rough sleeping up 10% on its watch

New data released by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) which covers April 2024 to March 2025 has shown an increase in rough sleeping across London. It shows Labour is failing to tackle the scandal.

Rough sleeping up in London again

In total, 13,231 people were recorded as rough sleeping in London during the last year. This is an increase of 10% on 2023/2024 – and 63% higher than the total of 8,096 people seen rough sleeping ten years ago, in 2015/16.

The data also shows that during this period:

• 3,028 people were seen rough sleeping for 2 years, a 27% increase on the same figure this time last year.
• 8,396 people were seen rough sleeping for the first time this year, a 5% increase compared to 2023/24.
• 1,807 people seen rough sleeping had returned to the streets after a year away – an increase of 11% from 2023/2024.

The proportions of people with a mental health need increased slightly in 2024/25, with 50% recorded as having a mental health support need, compared to 48% in 2023/24.

Perhaps most concerningly, there was a near-25% increase in the number of young people sleeping rough. In terms of location, the borough of Westminster had the highest number of rough sleepers.

Labour must do better

Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, Emma Haddad, said:

“Rough sleeping in our capital is still rising, with 10% more people forced to live on the streets of London in 2024. This isn’t a one-off, this is the latest in a persistent and worrying trend. These figures shouldn’t belong in 21st century Britain. Rough sleeping is devastating thousands of lives.

“At St Mungo’s, we see the immense impact that a single night on the streets can have on someone. With healthcare and housing-related support services struggling to meet demand, alongside a lack of affordable housing, many people are now enduring repeated cycles of rough sleeping. The figures also show a 27% rise in people sleeping rough for 2 years.

“We know that the longer someone spends sleeping on the streets, the more complex it is for them to end their homelessness and recover from it. Without the right support, mental and physical ill-health, substance use issues and care needs all become more pronounced.

“At St Mungo’s we’re doing everything we can to support people in this emergency. But a whole system change is needed if we’re to address the root causes driving these ever-rising numbers of people finding themselves at crisis point.

“The Government’s latest funding commitment for homelessness and social housing is a welcome step. However, we need a clear and coherent strategy to bring real focus to preventing homelessness, and urge the Government to publish its homelessness strategy as soon as possible, before we see another 10% increase next year.”

Featured image via the Canary