Burnham to write to councils: veterans should not sleep rough at Christmas

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will personally write to local councils in England on Armistice Day, 11 November 2026. Downing Street and the government announced this on 7 November 2026. He wants councils to prepare specific plans to offer accommodation to every veteran sleeping rough before Christmas.

What the prime minister wants

Mr Burnham is asking councils to use part of new funding to draw up a plan to tackle homelessness among ex-forces personnel. They are to work with local organisations and charities that support the ex-forces community.

According to the government, record funding linked to a new drive against rough sleeping creates an opportunity to give every veteran specialist support to get off the street. The government links this to commitments in the Armed Forces Covenant.

The prime minister said nobody who has served the country should sleep rough on its streets. He called this an "operating principle" for the whole of government, national and local. He added that many councils already work well with charities and that the new funding will let them "take that to the next level".

Background: the drive against rough sleeping

The announcement is part of a wider government programme. Mr Burnham has pledged that everyone sleeping rough in England will be offered a route off the streets before Christmas. According to government statements from August 2026, this is to be backed by increased funding.

The announcement also names the organisations that will share £8.7m under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme. They include Veteran Housing Scotland, Launchpad, Alabare, The Riverside Group, Wigan Council, RBVE and Tom Harrison House.

What this means for you

The letter applies to councils in England and to veterans, meaning former members of the armed forces. It may therefore directly affect some people who served in the British armed forces, including those living permanently in the UK. Local councils will decide the detailed rules on who qualifies for help, and the sources do not give them. Anyone facing homelessness can contact their local council.