Sky News poll: two-thirds doubt Burnham's rough sleeping pledge

A new Sky News poll has found that two-thirds of people believe Prime Minister Andy Burnham will fail to deliver on his pledge to end rough sleeping. The survey was conducted as Mr Burnham made tackling the issue his first priority upon entering Number 10, backed by an additional 340 million pounds targeted at the most vulnerable rough sleepers.

The poll also showed that more than half of respondents thought Mr Burnham was right to make the pledge, but the widespread doubt reflects the scale of the challenge. The Prime Minister's promise comes after years of failed efforts by previous governments, with the number of rough sleepers in London reaching nearly 13,000 last year, a figure 60% higher than a decade ago.

Sky News home editor Jason Farrell has been following the journeys of several rough sleepers for years. His latest visits highlight the complexity of the issue. Daniel, a working carpenter who hit hard times, has different needs to Leon, a prison leaver in Bridgend. Ian, a former crack addict, has cycled between hostels and the streets for 20 years. He said: "In simple terms, it's not possible. Homelessness isn't the issue. The issue is drug addiction, prison, a family breakup, relationship breaks down, losing your job. So homelessness is the symptom? Yeah, it's the symptom of it."

In Bridgend, Becky runs a drop-in centre that has seen its client numbers double in two years. She receives no government funding and is barely surviving. Neil, who has been on the streets for 30 years, said: "I would like to think yes, but I don't know much hope. I really don't. Where are they going to put us? The council got no properties, Housing Association got no properties, and they've given all the hotels away."

The government says the 340 million pounds is just phase one of the plan and that more will be needed. Homelessness campaigner Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, said the key is how the funds are invested, warning that the current system is a "broken system" with a revolving door between hostels, B&Bs, prisons and the streets. He argued that a cohort of hard-to-reach people need extra support.

Mr Burnham has also set his sights on cutting rail fares and reforming the water sector, but the ongoing war in Iran continues to affect the cost of living crisis, raising questions about whether he can deliver on all his promises.