Government Shies Away From 2012 Rough Sleeping Pledge

Charities have demanded clarity from the government after it repeatedly refused to back a target to end rough sleeping in England by 2012. The last government pledged in 2008 to end rough sleeping with its ‘No one left out’ strategy. Current housing minister Grant Shapps has regularly spoken about his desire to end the problem. But in recent weeks the CLG and Mr Shapps have refused to confirm their support for the target. The last CLG figures estimated there are 1,247 rough sleepers in England. A spokesperson for the CLG said the government was committed to backing London mayor Boris Johnson’s commitment to stop rough sleeping in the capital by 2012 - but refused to back the England-wide target. Read more on Inside Housing.