Unite the Union have voted to accept our pay offer, bringing the strike and pay dispute to an end. Here is our statement:

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said: 

“Following a vote, Unite the Union has confirmed its members have accepted the new pay offer package we put forward on 18 August 2023.

“In this offer, everyone who is on up to and including point 36 on the National Joint Council (NJC) pay scale will receive £1,200 per year as a St Mungo’s allowance in addition to the annual pay award, which will be a minimum of £1,925 this year.

“This means over 90% of staff will receive a total minimum increase of £3,125 in 2023-24. This works out as a 7-15% pay increase, depending on salary. The total cost to St Mungo’s will be just under £6m.

The agreement also includes a number of non-pay items, including an increase in annual leave.

“This vote resolves the dispute and ends a period of unprecedented strike action, and we understand Unite is asking people to return to work on Monday 4 September 2023. We are relieved with the outcome as we know this has been a difficult time for everyone involved. We look forward to working together with our colleagues and our partners as we continue to support people recovering from, or at risk of, homelessness.”

Notes to Editors/background information

As well as the £3,125 pay rise, St Mungo’s is offering:

1. An additional three days of annual leave for everyone.
2. A permanent increase in the mileage allowance.
3. A review of our wider benefits package, with a commitment to ensure modern and competitive policies around issues like maternity and paternity leave, carers’ leave, sickness, and compassionate leave.
4. The removal of the probationary period when moving to a new role internally.
5. A commitment to an external review of spot rate pay (pay outside of the NJC scale), and ongoing, regular conversations in the Joint National Committee regarding senior roles and senior pay.
6. A commitment to establish a wellbeing fund for teams to access, working with colleagues to define and create it.
7. A commitment to continue lobbying, with partners, for better funding across the homelessness sector.
8. A commitment to sharing financial information quarterly with the whole organisation. Unite commit to use this information with the intention of working together to avoid future disputes.
9. Early payment of the 2023-24 NJC pay award that is still being negotiated, with a view to paying any difference once the final award is agreed, in line with our recognition agreement.
10. A freeze on Executive Director and CEO pay for the current year.

Homelessness charity St Mungo’s says the increase in the number of people sleeping rough in London in the last year shows the tragic link between lack of affordable housing and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

New data released today (27 June 2023) by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), which covers 2022/23, showed the total number of people seen sleeping rough in London increased from 8,329 in 2021/22 to 10,053 in 2022/23. This is a 21% increase.

The CHAIN Annual Report April 2022-March 2023 found:

• of the 10,053 people who were sleeping rough, 6,391 were doing so for the first time, compared with 5,091 from the same period in 2021/22. This is a 26% rise
• 2,084 people had been seen rough sleeping for at least two consecutive years
• 1,578 people returned to the streets, after more than a year without sleeping rough. The number of people in this situation has increased by 31% from 1,205 in 2021/22.

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said:

“The 21% increase in the number of people experiencing street homelessness in London is a tragic reflection of the impact of the cost of living crisis and the severe lack of affordable housing. The shrinking supply of affordable homes in the private rented sector, and the chronic undersupply of social housing, means people are struggling to find and keep somewhere to live.

“Across St Mungo’s we continue to work innovatively and collaboratively to support those who need us. Every day our teams are working with people in crisis to build a life away from the streets.

“To prevent the current situation from worsening, we urge the Government to increase Housing Benefit so it properly reflects the true cost of renting. Without immediate intervention, the number of people sleeping rough will continue to rise.”

Notes to editors:

The number of people sleeping rough as reported in the CHAIN Annual Report 2022/23 is lower than the cumulative total of each of the quarterly reports. This is because some people will sleep rough across the year meaning they are counted in multiple quarterly reports, but only once in the annual report.

The CHAIN annual report categorises someone as returning to rough sleeping if they have previously been seen rough sleeping prior to the financial year preceding this report (before 2021/22) and have returned to the streets during 2022/23.

CHAIN reports present information about people seen rough sleeping by outreach teams in London. CHAIN is commissioned and funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and managed by Homeless Link.

Anyone who is concerned about a person who is sleeping rough should contact Streetlink via https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s has warned the cost of living crisis has contributed to a 14% increase in people sleeping rough in London on the same period last year, a figure which will continue to rise if not addressed immediately.

New data released today (28 April 2023) by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), which covers January to March this year, shows:

• the total number of people seen sleeping rough in London increased from 2,714 people in January to March 2022 to 3,107 people in January to March 2023 (14% increase)
• of those, 1,490 were sleeping rough for the first time compared with 1,296 people in the same period last year, 15% higher than the same period last year
• 376 people were considered to be living on the streets, which is up from 363 from the same period the year before.
• 1,270 people were seen intermittently sleeping rough, which is 17% higher than the same period last year.

St Mungo’s Chief Executive Emma Haddad said:

“We are starting to see the full impact of the cost of living crisis, as more and more people become street homeless in London. Rising rents and bills mean people are losing their accommodation, an ever-increasing number of people are presenting with more complex mental health issues, and people who have never been at risk of homelessness before are now sleeping rough.

“Our teams work 24/7 to help as many people as we can out of homelessness, and will continue to do so. What we need is more action to stop people from becoming homeless in the first place.

“The Government must increase Housing Benefit so it properly reflects the true cost of renting, and must introduce the long-promised Renters Reform Bill to prevent more evictions on to the street. Without immediate intervention, the number of people forced to sleep rough will continue to rise.”

Notes

The total number of people seen sleeping rough in London reduced by 463 people from 3,570 people in October to December 2022 to 3,107 people in January to March 2023 (13% decrease).

This is due to the impact of Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) which temporarily provides shelter where there is risk to life and therefore direct quarter comparisons creates a misleading interpretation of the data.

CHAIN is commissioned and funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and managed by Homeless Link.

Anyone who is concerned about a person who is sleeping rough should contact Streetlink via https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

Leading charity St Mungo’s has described the failure to heed advice from frontline experts aimed at averting a homelessness crisis as a ‘serious error’.

Today (15 March 2023) the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP unveiled his Spring Budget but despite calls from across the homelessness sector there was little specific support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

St Mungo’s has urged the Government to increase Local Housing Allowance which would help those in private rented accommodation to afford their rents. It would also increase the number of properties affordable to people moving on from temporary accommodation such as homelessness hostels.

However, this was not included in today’s announcement.

Reacting to the budget, St Mungo’s Chief Executive, Emma Haddad said: “The number of people sleeping rough in England is increasing, the number of people in temporary accommodation in England is increasing, the number of people seriously at risk of losing their home is increasing, and the number of additional people our teams are seeing end up on the streets because of the cost of living is increasing. But what is not increasing is acknowledgement of the urgency of the situation.

“As one of the leading providers of homelessness services in the country we are seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis daily, and we are deeply concerned. Along with our colleagues across the sector, we gave our expert advice about what should be done to avert an impending homelessness crisis and stop the number of people pushed into homelessness continuing to rise. The failure to include any specific support for homelessness in this budget is a serious error.

“But, whatever comes, St Mungo’s teams will continue to be there every day for those experiencing homelessness.”

The Chancellor did commit to providing £100m to ‘local’ charities to support people struggling with the current cost of living, although further details of the allocation process have yet to be released.

Other measures announced included bringing the cost of energy paid for via pre-payment meters in line with the cost when paid for by direct debit, and a continuation of the domestic energy price cap for the next three months.

In addition the Government announced that the Work Capability Assessment will be abolished which it says will allow people who claim disability benefit to be able to seek work without loss of benefits.

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s has warned that without urgent intervention the cost of living crisis will become a homelessness crisis.

The Government’s latest Snapshot Rough Sleeping figures released today (28 February 2023) shows that on a single night in autumn 2022 there were 3,069 people seen sleeping rough in England.

That is an increase of more than a quarter (26%) on the previous year’s total of 2,440 – with the number of people sleeping rough increasing in every region of England.

The data also shows:

• the number of women sleeping rough is up by 45%, increasing from 320 to 464,
• an increase in the number of people aged between 18-25 sleeping rough. Up from 110 in 2021 to 192 in 2022,
• Westminster, has the highest number of people sleeping rough in the country, and has seen an increase from 187 in 2021 to 250 in 2022.

Responding to the figures, St Mungo’s Chief Executive Emma Haddad said “The increase in the number of people sleeping rough shows the stark effect of the cost of living crisis. Our frontline teams are increasingly seeing people who are losing their homes and ending up on the streets because they can no longer afford their rent, energy bills and food.

“And while the Government has clearly made efforts to support people to manage during these difficult times, much more needs to be done urgently to prevent those who are on the brink falling into homelessness.

“In two weeks the Chancellor will deliver his Spring Budget. We urge him to use it to increase housing benefit to ensure people can afford their rents. And for the Government to legislate the Renters’ Reform Bill abolishing ‘no fault’ evictions and reducing the number of people becoming street homeless. Failure to act will see this cost of living crisis become a homelessness crisis.

“But whatever we face, St Mungo’s teams will continue to work day in, day out to ensure anyone sleeping rough is offered the help and support they need to move off the streets.”

In the areas where the St Mungo’s operates, the numbers show a:

• 28% increase in London, from 640 to 858 people,
• 13% increase in the South West, from 334 to 413 people, and
• 19 % increase in the South East, from 445 to 572 people.

The snapshot figures are based on a single night street count which every local authority in England undertakes each year during October and November, or estimates from local councils which are verified and agreed by Homeless Link.

It does not include people who live in hostels or other temporary accommodation.

St Mungo’s is recommending the following shorter and longer term actions to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness:

• The Government should unfreeze and restore Local Housing Allowance rates so that they cover the bottom 30th percentile of rents.
• The Government should urgently legislate the Renters Reform Bill, in order to abolish ‘no fault’ evictions and reduce numbers arriving onto the streets.
• People with unclear or limited entitlements due to their immigration status should be included in means-tested cost of living support packages.
• Increase grant funding delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme and commit the funds from the Right to Buy scheme to a strategic acquisition programme to deliver more social rented homes.
• Increase the supply of supported housing through delivering investment programmes that align capital and revenue funding.

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s is warning of the extreme dangers cold weather presents to people sleeping rough as freezing temperatures continue to sweep the country.

The Met office have issued a cold weather warning alert, which has prompted many councils to activate their emergency response. This is designed to help people who are street homeless stay safe during extreme weather.

Known as ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)’ the plans see increased outreach shifts and more accommodation made available, with the aim of ensuing nobody has to sleep on the streets during such extreme conditions.

SWEP has been activated in the following areas where St Mungo’s operates:

• Across London
• Oxford
• Reading
• Bristol

In London the provision is reviewed daily. In all other areas SWEP will be active until at least Wednesday 8 February and then reviewed on a daily basis.

St Mungo’s Outreach Teams have increased the number of routine shifts being carried out across the activated cities and will continue to ensure that everybody who is on the streets is offered a safe and warm space to stay indoors overnight.

Hannah Faulkner, Head of Rough Sleeping Services at St Mungo’s said: “These low temperatures can kill people who are street homeless and it is absolutely right this is treated as an emergency.

“As ever St Mungo’s teams are prepared to respond to this this critical situation. We will continue to work tirelessly around the clock to ensure that people are brought into the safe and warm.

“During periods of cold and extreme weather it is essential that members of the public, people experiencing homelessness and other support services are all aware that additional accommodation and support is available.

“Anyone who is concerned about a person who is street homeless should contact StreetLink. And, as ever, if someone is in an emergency situation people should call 999.”

StreetLink operates 24 hours a day, 365 day a year with alerts being passed to local outreach teams who then use the information to find and support people sleeping rough.

Find out more here – https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

For further updates on the severe weather provision follow St Mungo’s Twitter account – @StMungos

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s say the cost of living crisis has shown its impact, as new figures show more people are hitting the streets in London, as they struggle to cover the cost of their tenancies.

New data released today (31 January 2023) by the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) shows that between October and December last year 3570 people were seen sleeping rough in London.

This is a 21% increase on the same period in October-December 2021.

The data shows that between October and December:

• New rough sleepers now account for 48% of all people sleeping rough
• The number of new people seen on the streets has increased by 29%; from 1314 to 1700 on the same period the year before.

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s said: “As we expected, the number of people sleeping rough has increased yet again which is exceptionally concerning.

“It is clear that the cost of living crisis is having a devastating impact, with people struggling to cover the costs of their tenancy, especially in the capital.

“These latest figures once again show just how urgent the situation is.

“We are asking the Government to raise local housing allowance and urgently legislate the Renters’ Reform Bill, as well as include the most vulnerable in the cost of living support packages.

“St Mungo’s will continue to do everything we can to prevent street homelessness, and support those who have ended up sleeping rough to spend as little time as possible on the streets.”

CHAIN is commissioned and funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and managed by Homeless Link.

Anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough should contact StreetLink via https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s is warning of the extreme dangers cold weather presents to people sleeping rough as freezing temperature sweep the country.

For the first time this year, today (Monday 16 January), the Met office have issued a cold weather warning alert, which has prompted many councils to activate their emergency response. This is designed to help people who are street homeless stay safe during extreme weather.

Known as ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)’ the plans see increased outreach shifts and more accommodation made available, with the aim of ensuing nobody has to sleep on the streets during such extreme conditions.

SWEP has been activated in the following areas where St Mungo’s operates:

• Across London
• Oxford
• Reading
• Bristol
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

In London the provision is reviewed daily. In all other areas SWEP will be active until at least Wednesday 18 January and then reviewed on a daily basis. In Bristol and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole provision will run until at least Friday 20 January when it will be reviewed again.

St Mungo’s Outreach Teams have increased the number of routine shifts being carried out across the activated cities and will continue to ensure that everybody who is on the streets is offered a safe and warm space to stay indoors overnight.

Hannah Faulkner, Head of Rough Sleeping Services at St Mungo’s said: “The temperatures have plummeted today and they look to continue throughout this week. These low temperatures can kill people who are street homeless and it is absolutely right this is treated as an emergency.

“As ever St Mungo’s teams are prepared to respond to this this critical situation. We will continue to work tirelessly around the clock to ensure that people are brought into the safe and warm.

“During periods of cold and extreme weather it is essential that members of the public, people experiencing homelessness and other support services are all aware that additional accommodation and support is available.

“Anyone who is concerned about a person who is street homeless should contact StreetLink. And, as ever, if someone is in an emergency situation people should call 999.”

StreetLink operates 24 hours a day, 365 day a year with alerts being passed to local outreach teams who then use the information to find and support people sleeping rough.

Find out more here – https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

For further updates on the severe weather provision follow St Mungo’s Twitter account – @StMungos

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s is warning of the danger cold weather presents to people sleeping rough as freezing temperature sweep the country.

Today (Wednesday 7 December), the Met Office has announced weather warnings due to the low temperatures, which has prompted many councils to activate their emergency response. This is designed to help people who are street homeless stay safe during extreme weather.

Known as ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)’ the plans see increased outreach shifts and more accommodation made available, with the aim of ensuing nobody has to sleep on the streets during such extreme conditions.

SWEP has been activated in the following areas where St Mungo’s operates:

• Across London
• Oxford
• Reading
• Bristol
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

In all areas SWEP will be active until at least Monday 12 December. In Bristol provision will run until at least Friday 9 December when it will be reviewed.

If members of the public are concerned about anyone sleeping outside they are urged to contact StreetLink via its app which connects people sleeping rough with their local outreach team.

In emergency situations when a person’s health or safety is at immediate risk, members of the public should call 999.

St Mungo’s Outreach Teams have increased the number of routine shifts being carried out across the activated cities and will continue to ensure that everybody who is on the streets is offered a safe and warm space to stay indoors overnight.

Hannah Faulkner, Head of Rough Sleeping Services at St Mungo’s said: “We know that sleeping rough is dangerous all year round, but freezing temperatures can pose a risk to life.

“During periods of cold and extreme weather it is essential that members of the public, people experiencing homelessness and other support services are all aware that additional accommodation and support is available.

“St Mungo’s is here, with our outreach team working throughout the year to provide support to those who are sleeping rough. When the severe weather response is activated during periods of extreme weather, our team works around the clock to ensure that people are brought into the safe and warm.

“Anyone who is concerned about a person who is street homeless should contact StreetLink. And, as ever, if someone is in an emergency situation people should call 999.”

StreetLink operates 24 hours a day, 365 day a year with alerts being passed to local outreach teams who then use the information to find and support people sleeping rough.

Find out more here – https://thestreetlink.org.uk/

For further updates on the severe weather provision follow St Mungo’s Twitter account – @StMungos