Burnham's homeless plan 'needs mental health focus'

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham needs to invest in mental health support if he wants to end rough sleeping, according to a Labour councillor.

Lauren Townsend, the deputy leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said providing more support would save money in the long run.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, Burnham said tackling the issue would be his first instruction once he walked through the door.

But while that has been welcomed by some, other politicians have questioned some of his early appointments, such as the former defence secretary John Healey being named as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Burnham did not give any details of his plan to tackle rough sleeping, but the government later said it would allocate £340m over the next five years.

There are an estimated 4,793 people sleeping rough in England.

Townsend said: "We do need investment into the NHS mental health support services, we do need additional drug and alcohol services, and we do need things that support families.

"It's going to cost money, but I think there's a lot of things in society where we spend money on reactively dealing with them and trying to treat them."

Sarah Owen, the Labour MP for Luton North, said: "It's only day one and Andy has announced we will bring an end to rough sleeping, and promised swift action on the cost of living.

"For people in Luton North, that can't come soon enough."

Richard Fuller, the Conservative MP for North Bedfordshire, criticised the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"Yet again, we have a senior economics role going to someone with no private sector experience," Fuller said.

"Our businesses are cutting back under the burden of high taxes, unemployment is up, up, up. Let us hope Mr Healey secures some junior ministers with that experience."

Healey was a junior Treasury minister in Tony Blair's government from 2002 to 2007.

The Liberal Democrat elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, is hoping that future policy announcements include funding the rebuild of Watford General Hospital.

He has written a letter to Burnham urging him to find the money for the project.

"The thing we felt very frustrated by with Keir Starmer was a lack of drive and determination," Taylor said.

"I hope the new prime minister has got some vision, and starts delivering some tangible improvements for the people of Watford."

The timing of Burnham's coronation could work either way for the new prime minister.

There will be very little opportunity for debating policy until September, which will give him time to work on the fine detail, but it will also give his critics a chance to polish up their arguments against him.

There is also time for the media and, possibly, the electorate to grow restless while waiting for more of a clue as to the direction the country will take over the next few years.

Any announcements made during August may fall on stony ground as politics will, to some extent, take a back seat as participants and spectators concentrate on their holidays.

So it will be difficult for Burnham to make much of an impact.

Meanwhile, the Watford MP, Labour's Matt Turmaine, has added a colourful reflection of his own on the events of the past two days.

He said the departure of Sir Keir Starmer and the arrival of Burnham was "like watching Doctor Who regenerate".

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