Everyone sleeping rough in Crewe and Nantwich is to be offered a route off the streets this winter if they need it, the first major milestone in the Prime Minister's commitment to end rough sleeping.

Labour Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas.

Backed by increased funding of £442 million, with £631,649 for Cheshire East new accommodation and support will be rolled out across England this winter, learning from innovative approaches put into place during the pandemic.

Alongside emergency accommodation to end the need for rough sleeping, the programme, fully funded within MHCLG budgets, will offer practical help with housing, health and other needs, helping people build a more stable future.

The Prime Minister has announced he will host a first of its kind national summit in the Autumn to bring together leaders from across society, from business, finance, charities, health, faith communities and more, asking what role each of them can play in ending rough sleeping.

Research from Crisis suggests preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers around £370 million.

Labour MP for Crewe & Nantwich, Connor Naismith said: "Crewe & Nantwich has amazing local organisations that work round the clock to support those experiencing homelessness, LATH, Hope4More, Chance Changing Lives, the YMCA, Nantwich Foodbank, St Paul's Centre and many more.

"But the truth is, historic cuts to local funding have led to an over-reliance on charitable organisations to provide a service that should be given by the state. Today, that changes. The Prime Minister is staying true to his word on day one to end rough sleeping."

The government is also confirming project allocations for this programme, which includes the investment into long term accommodation announced in July.

As well as off the street provision, the funding will help local areas deliver more than 1,000 settled homes over the next three years, alongside intensive wraparound support to help people rebuild their lives.

Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support, with communities all across England getting support to address rough sleeping in their area.

Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping and making the decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it is needed most.

Prime Minister, Andy Burnham said: "No-one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station. But we've seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.

"I won't accept it. That's why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping. And it's why today we're getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas.

"We did it in the pandemic. We can do it again. But it needs all of us. Government will put the money in. But I'm asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too. Let's get people out the cold. And let's bring back hope."

Alongside funding allocations, the Government is publishing guidance to help local areas mobilise quickly and deliver a consistent route off the street offer this winter.

The guidance will make clear the need to ensure adequate and accessible provision for women experiencing rough sleeping, recognising women are often underrepresented in official statistics and may be at greater risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation.

Guidance encourages local areas to consider single sex accommodation with specialist, intensive and trauma informed support, for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

This will support the government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next ten years.