The number of people sleeping rough on the streets of England has reached the highest level since current records began, new figures reveal.

An estimated 4,751 people were sleeping rough in the autumn of 2017, latest figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show.

This is a 15% rise, up by 617 from the autumn 2016 total of 4,134.

The figures came from local authorities’ counts and estimates on a snapshot night in autumn last year.

Of the total figure, 1,137 rough sleepers were in London. This is an increase of 18% from the 2016 figure of 964.

In 2017 London accounted for 24% of the total England figure, compared to 23% in 2016 and 26% in 2015.

Homeless charity Crisis said that the true number of rough sleepers is likely to be far greater, with their own research indicating there are currently more than 9,000 people sleeping rough across England.

Crisis predicts that the number is predicted to rise to 15,000 by 2026 if nothing changes.

A breakdown of the top ten highest local authority counts show that Westminster had the most rough sleepers in England.

Labour said that the number of people sleeping rough has more than doubled since 2010. 

John Healey, Labour’s shadow housing secretary, said: “These shameful figures are a terrible reminder of the consequences of a Conservative Government.

“The number of people sleeping rough fell under Labour but has more than doubled since 2010, and is up for the eighth year in a row under the Tories. 

“This is a direct result of decisions made by Conservative Ministers: a steep drop in investment for affordable homes, crude cuts to housing benefit, reduced funding for homelessness services, and a refusal to help private renters.

“A Labour government will end rough sleeping within its first term in office, and tackle the root causes of rising homelessness.”

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