Burnham says government money ‘may not be enough’ to fund rough sleeping plan

19th August, 2026 | News

Burnham Pledges Support for Homeless People as Reform UK Regains Poll Lead

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to give every homeless person in the UK the opportunity to move off the streets before Christmas, while new polling shows growing public concern over small boat crossings and a renewed lead for Reform UK.

Burnham announced an additional £102 million in funding to tackle homelessness, bringing the total amount committed by his government to £442 million.

The Prime Minister said the funding would provide homeless people with an offer of accommodation and support, drawing on lessons from the approach taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Burnham appeared uncertain about whether the government funding alone would be sufficient to achieve the goal. He called on charities, community groups and voluntary organisations to work with the government to ensure that people sleeping rough receive the necessary support.

Burnham acknowledged that some homeless people may choose not to leave the streets for personal reasons, but said his objective was to ensure that everyone was given an opportunity to access accommodation and support.

Conservatives Promise Lower Energy Bills

The Conservative Party has also unveiled proposals aimed at reducing household electricity bills, claiming its plans could save the average household around £540 a year for the next two decades.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said a Conservative government would prioritise affordable electricity while maintaining a largely clean energy system.

The party has proposed removing VAT from energy bills, scrapping carbon taxes and ending subsidies for wind power. Conservatives argue that these measures would reduce infrastructure and wholesale energy costs.

Labour, however, has rejected the proposals, accusing the Conservatives of relying too heavily on fossil fuels. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh argued that abandoning the country’s clean-energy commitments would not reduce bills in the long term and could undermine efforts to tackle climate change.

Reform UK Returns to Poll Lead

Meanwhile, a new YouGov poll for Sky News and The Times shows Reform UK has regained the lead in national voting intentions.

Reform UK recorded 24%, ahead of Labour on 22%, while the Conservatives polled at 19%.

The poll, conducted among 2,441 adults in Great Britain on August 16 and 17, comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s victory in the Clacton by-election.

The latest figures represent a shift from the previous week, when Labour held the lead and the Conservatives had moved into the 20% range.

However, other opinion polls continue to show Labour ahead, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the current political landscape.

The latest developments come as the government faces pressure over homelessness, energy costs, immigration and the wider cost of living, while opposition parties seek to strengthen their positions ahead of future elections.