"Ambition is only the starting point": Our response to Andy Burnham

22 July 2026 

Glass Door Homeless Charity’s CEO, Jo Carter, makes a statement in response to Andy Burnham’s first speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, where he pledged to end rough sleeping in England. 

Like many people working across the homelessness sector, I've been reflecting on Andy Burnham's commitment to end rough sleeping. 

My colleagues at Glass Door Homeless Charity and I welcome the ambition. We should never lower our expectations or accept that people sleeping on our streets is simply part of modern society. Having leaders who are prepared to set bold goals is important. 

But ambition is only the starting point. If we are serious about ending rough sleeping, we must recognise the complexity behind it. Housing is only part of the picture — people don't become homeless for one reason, and there isn't a single organisation with all the answers. Real progress depends on sustained collaboration between government, local authorities, health services, housing providers, charities, businesses and, crucially, people with lived experience of homelessness. 

Working in a London homelessness charity delivering frontline services, I see every day the difference it makes when organisations work together around the needs of the individual rather than the boundaries of our services. I also see what happens when those partnerships are missing, and the gaps that people can fall through 

Ending rough sleeping isn't about one policy or one organisation. It's about creating a system where prevention is prioritised, support is joined up, and people are given the time and opportunity to rebuild their lives. 

I hope this commitment is the beginning of a genuine collective effort. If we all bring our expertise, resources and determination to the table, then this is an ambition that deserves our support—and one that could make a lasting difference to thousands of lives.