Burnham right to end scourge of homelessness, says IPPR - but his big promises will demand big action

Responding to Andy Burnham's first speech as prime minister, Harry Quilter Pinner, IPPR executive director, said:  

“Andy Burnham today set out a bold vision for change in Britain that speaks to the scale of the challenges we face. He is right to call for action to tackle the cost of living, to empower communities and to spread economic opportunity across the country.

"But we have been here before. Big promises must be followed by big action. Voters are fed up with words without actions, and the honeymoon period for the new PM will be short. His welcome announcement on the scourge of rough sleeping must be the first of many that show, in coming days and weeks, that he can deliver real change at pace."

On the £340 million drive to end rough sleeping, Dr Maya Singer Hobbs, IPPR senior research fellow and author of a recent IPPR report on the subject, said:

"Homelessness is the most visible sign of our crumbling public services. The prime minister's commitment to end rough sleeping as his first instruction shows that he is taking seriously the challenge he faces.

"The funding announced rightly prioritises those at the sharpest end of the housing crisis, with accommodation and wrap-around support, echoing IPPR's call earlier this month for a housing-led approach to homelessness.

"Andy Burnham is also right to signal that he sees council housebuilding as a key pillar of his approach. IPPR analysis last year suggested that more council housing could save billions on the welfare bill by reducing the amount spent through housing payments to private landlords."

ENDS

Dr Maya Singer Hobbs and other IPPR spokespeople are available for interview

CONTACT

David Wastell, director of communications: 07921 403651 d.wastell@ippr.org

Liam Evans, head of news and media: 07419 365334 l.evans@ippr.org

Rosie Okumbe, senior digital and media officer: 07825 185421 r.okumbe@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Find IPPR and IPPR North’s recent publication ‘Home Truths: Housing-led approaches to homelessness’: www.ippr.org/article/home-truths and IPPR’s report ‘The homes that children deserve: Housing policy to support families’: www.ippr.org/articles/homes-children-deserve
• IPPR is the UK’s most influential think tank, with alumni in Downing Street, the cabinet and parliament. We are the ideas factory behind many of the current government’s flagship policies, including changes to fiscal rules, the creation of a National Wealth Fund, GB Energy, devolution, and reforms to the NHS. IPPR is an independent charity which has seconded staff to government departments including DHSC and DESNZ to support ministers on crucial policies such as the 10-year health plan and the industrial strategy: www.ippr.org