Yesterday, at the Homeless Link annual conference on Connecting Communities, Iain Wright, the housing minister, rallied more than 200 representatives from the homelessness sector with his belief that we can end rough sleeping 'once and for all'. He went on to say that 'this is not just about accomodation, this is about life chances... Departments across Whitehall are keen to be futher engaged in helping homeless people to take control of their future.'

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, said, 'The minister's passion and commitment to ending rough sleeping gives us great confidence. The investment in hostels and progress in reducing rough sleeping that this Government has led is an example to the world and a foundation which it can build its ambition for the future. We also call on other Government departments to play their part in making rough sleeping a thing of the past. We are delighted to have the minister's support. Now is the time for vision and action to combine.'