Revealed: The huge surge in homeless people sleeping rough on streets that has swept the UK

Almost 300,000 people are now facing the 'worst' forms of homelessness amid a 'shocking' 20 per cent spike in rough sleeping in just two years, a damning report reveals today.

Ministers have been warned that Labour's early prisoner release scheme and an increase in migrants being released from asylum seeker accommodation are partly to blame for the staggering rise in people sleeping rough.

The scale of the crisis mounts further pressure on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who is nine years into his term, as well as the Labour government - which has now been in power for 16 months.

Homelessness charity Crisis has warned that individuals are increasingly being forced to move between 'unsuitable' temporary accommodation or face sleeping on the streets and in tents and squats.

Tent encampments have become a common site in some of London's most desirable spots, including in Westminster - a hub for luxury shopping and late-night entertainment - and Park Lane - a prestigious road opposite Hyde Park lined with luxury hotels.

Just last month, it was revealed that TfL spent more than £113,000 in three months on hiring security to prevent rough sleepers returning to Park Lane. Meanwhile in May, they secured a court order to remove a large encampment opposite the Hilton by Hyde Park Corner.

The landmark report, led by Heriot-Watt University, reveals that homelessness levels stood at 299,100 across England in 2024 - a 21 per cent rise since 2022 and a 45 per cent spike since 2012.

There has also been a 70 per cent increase in the number of people approaching councils for homelessness assistance - with local authorities in London and across the north of England worst affected.

Labour's early prisoner release scheme to ease overcrowding has been partly blamed for the rise. The controversial scheme allows certain inmates to be freed on licence after serving 40 per cent of their term.

Releasing migrants from asylum seeker accommodation is also contributing to the spiralling crisis.

'Homelessness resulting from evictions from UK asylum accommodation was up by 37% in the last year, influenced by the acceleration of Home Office decisions on claims,' the study said.

'At the same time, homelessness resulting from discharge from hospitals, prisons and other institutions went up 22% in the last year. This is likely in part the result of the UK Government's early prison release scheme which has added pressure on council finances.'

The Home Office's decision to halve the number of days most people granted asylum can stay in government accommodation has also been blamed for leaving migrants homeless.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing calls to unfreeze the amount of housing benefit that private renters can claim, known as the Local Housing Allowance.

Crisis chief executive Matt Downie said the 'shocking new finding require a rapid response from the government'.

'No one should be forced to live in unsafe conditions, whether it's children in poor-quality B&Bs or people having to sleep on the streets, in tents or in squats,' he added.

'With winter approaching, and pressure on councils expected to grow, Westminster must take this opportunity to fix the sharpest end of the housing crisis.'

Crisis said they welcomed the Government's £39billion commitment for social and affordable housing but warned: 'With councils across the country being pushed into effective bankruptcy because of the rising bill for temporary accommodation, we need a bold new approach to tackling homelessness.'

They warned ministers to focus on preventing homelessness in the first place.

'By restoring housing benefit in this month's Autumn Budget so that it covers the true cost of rents, we can stop thousands of households from losing their homes,' Mr Downie said.

'Homelessness can also be prevented by fixing gaps in support services, so that people do not end up with nowhere to live after leaving institutions like prisons and hospitals.'

The homelessness charity has also announced it is going to become a landlord for the first time in its 60-year history amid a 'catastrophic scenario' where it can no longer get access to social housing to get people off the streets.

Professor Beth Watts-Cobbe, from Heriot-Watt University, said: 'It's deeply concerning that almost 300,000 families and individuals across England are now experiencing the most acute forms of homelessness on any given night.

'Our new analysis shows how the lack of affordable housing and insufficient welfare support is driving this crisis and that councils are seriously struggling to fulfil their duties to support people who are homeless into safe and stable housing.'

Last year, Prince William spoke of his mission to end homelessness for a new ITV documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness.

The future king has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and temporary accommodation a thing of the past in his ambitious five-year initiative programme called Homewards, founded by the prince and the Royal Foundation.

Before the election, the last Tory government unveiled plans for controversial new laws that would have seen 'nuisance' rough sleepers arrested for the way they smell.

Under the proposed legislation, those deemed to be 'nuisance' rough sleepers could have been fined up to £2,500 or even jailed if they refuse orders to move on from a certain location.

The draft bill stated that rough sleepers might be considered a 'nuisance' if there is 'excessive smell', if they display 'intimidating' signs, or cause litter.

Ministers were said to be considering amending the bill following a backlash and it was never brought into law.