Nearly 600 deaths on our streets is a national disgrace

Figures released this week show that of the 597 homelessness deaths in 2017, Manchester (21) and Birmingham (18) were the cities worst affected, with Bristol, Lambeth and Liverpool (all 17), also registering more than one death a month.

Responding to these statistics, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat homelessness spokesperson Tim Caswell said "The fact that nearly 600 people died on our streets in 2017 is not just a tragedy, it is a national disgrace of which we should be deeply ashamed. These figures show that all over the country, our homelessness crisis is at epidemic levels and people are indefensibly losing their lives. We must do more to protect vulnerable people and support those at their lowest ebb. The Liberal Democrats demand better. We want the Government to be building up to 100,000 social homes a year, provide accommodation and support to those in need, and finally back Liberal Democrat Layla Moran MP's Bill to scrap the Vagrancy Act."