Burnham Urges End to Veteran Homelessness This Christmas

Andy Burnham has declared that no individual who served in the British armed forces should be forced to sleep on the streets this Christmas. In response, Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister will issue a direct appeal to councils across England on Armistice Day, 11 November, to establish immediate accommodation plans for homeless veterans. According to downing Street, The PM would personally write to councils across England on Armistice Day (11 November) to urge them to draw up plans to offer accommodation for veterans sleeping rough ahead of the festive period. He will say that national and local government should work under the “simple principle” that “no one who has served our country should ever be left to sleep rough on our streets”.

This initiative is grounded in the “simple principle” that those who served the nation should not endure homelessness. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party has challenged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, accusing her of improperly linking participation in a European Union youth scheme to the sacrifices made by armed forces personnel on Remembrance Sunday.