Government condemned as surge in homeless deaths branded ‘unforgivable’
The Government has been condemned for failing vulnerable people after a record number of homeless deaths last year.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that an estimated 726 homeless people died in England and Wales in 2018.
It marks a 22 per cent increase over the year and the biggest rise since records began in 2013.
In the West Midlands there were 64 homeless deaths in 2018 – up 15 per cent on the previous year and a spike of 59 per cent since 2013.
Politicians have described the figures as "shameful", while campaigners have warned the number of deaths is likely to increase further in 2019.
Emma Reynolds, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, said years of "brutal" government cuts to benefits and services had left homeless people without access to support.
“It is shocking that the number of homeless people dying has once again increased, and there are so many people who have no place to call home," she said.
"This is an issue which is getting worse each year, and the Government’s response is not good enough.
“The vast majority of people who are homeless in Wolverhampton are not sleeping rough, but are ‘hidden homeless’ so could be sofa surfing, or moving between friends and family.
“Every homeless death is a tragedy, and every single one is avoidable.
"The Government is not prioritising this and they need to get a grip. It is unforgivable that so many people are dying on the streets.”
Birmingham MP and mayoral hopeful Liam Byrne said the figures had "shamed our nation".
“This is a moral emergency and none of us can continue to stand by – we need urgent action," he said.
"A duty must be placed on our public agencies, from the NHS and mental health services, to our prisons and welfare system, to prevent anyone going without somewhere to live.”
Dr Luke Heselwood, from the think-tank Reform, said the figures showed that the Government’s policies to tackle homelessness were failing.
He added: “Short-term, hand-to-mouth funding for local services has inhibited councils’ efforts to implement this legislation and prevent those at risk from becoming homeless.
"Long-term sustainable funding for these services is a must to reverse this terrible trend.”
Jessica Turtle, co-founder of the Museum of Homelessness campaign group, said the number of deaths in 2019 was likely to be even higher, "so the picture will get bleaker".
London and the north-west had the highest numbers of homeless deaths in 2018, with 148 and 103 estimated deaths respectively, while across the country two in five deaths were related to drug poisoning.
A government spokesperson said the figures were "a sombre reminder that there is still much more to do to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping for good".
“Drugs can devastate lives, ruin families and damage communities, which is why we are undertaking a comprehensive review which will help protect the most vulnerable – including homeless individuals – from the harm that drugs cause and give them a chance to recover and turn their lives around.”
