Austerity has worsened both the causes and effects of homelessness

Analysis: As the government vows to crack down on the supply of drugs, charities warn that addiction can be a consequence rather than a cause of homelessness, Lizzie Dearden writes

Campaigners say services for single homeless people have dropped by £1bn per year (EPA-EFE)

Shocking statistics showing that two homeless people died every day in England and Wales last year have sparked renewed calls for action to prevent such deaths.

But while the government has emphasised its introduction of a new law and national strategy to combat rough sleeping, grassroots organisations say current efforts come “nowhere near” replacing the funding lost over years of austerity.

The Office for National Statistics counted 726 homeless deaths in 2018 but said the number may be even higher. The figure is a 22 per cent rise on 2017, while deaths related to drug poisoning rocketed by 55 per cent in the year.