Andy Burnham has made ending rough sleeping in the country his first policy pledge as the new prime minister. When he became Greater Manchester mayor in 2017, Burnham pledged to end rough sleeping in the area by 2020, external. Figures published in 2025 showed rough sleeping had increased year-on-year, although decreased compared to 2017. Burnham, in a statement after his first speech outside 10 Downing Street, said: "On my first day as prime minister, I'm announcing this government's commitment to finally end long-term rough sleeping across the UK at the earliest opportunity. Sir James said: "In Manchester, Burnham promised to end rough sleeping, but failed because he didn't do the hard work necessary.