Sadiq Khan pledges to eliminate rough sleeping in London ‘once and for all’

If elected to a historic third term as mayor of London, Khan plans to spend an extra £10m on what has been described as a growing humanitarian crisis in the city.

The fourth quarter of 2023 saw a 23% year-on-year increase in rough sleeping in London, with 4,389 people counted – the most since city hall started recording figures in 2014.

In his speech on Monday, Khan will say it is time “to reject the notion that homelessness is some natural, stubborn feature of modern life that we have no option but to abide”.

City hall’s rough sleeping budget has gone up from £8.45m in 2016 to £36.3m in 2023 but the latest figures relating to people on London’s streets have been described by homelessness charities as devastating.

Under proposals due to be voted on by MPs before the autumn, ministers intend to give police the powers to fine or move on “nuisance” rough sleepers.

Critics say the draft legislation could result in people being arrested, given a £2,500 fine or even jailed for “excessive odour”, or for merely appearing as though they intend to sleep rough.