Number of homeless people dying on the streets rises to almost 600

THE number of homeless people dying on the streets has soared by a quarter over the last five years to nearly 600, official figures show.

A day after Gyula Remes, 43, died outside Parliament, statistics showed deaths of rough sleepers and those in emergency accommodation rose from 482 in 2013 to 597 last year across England and Wales.

Theresa May yesterday described the figures as “very concerning” saying it was “unacceptable to see lives cut short in this way”.

The Office for National Statistics said life expectancy for the homeless is nearly half that for people in stable housing, with homeless men and women dying on average at the age of 44 with the highest mortality rates in London and the North West.

Housing Secretary James Brokenshire said any death on the streets was “one too many” adding that all members of Parliament “shared the sadness” of Mr Remes’ death.

A No10 spokeswoman said: “We are focused with a homelessness strategy and in putting money in to ensure that people don’t have to sleep rough in the first place.”

Asked about Mr Remes’ death, she added: “There is an investigation which has begun into that but obviously our sympathies to her family and friends and all those who knew him. It’s very tragic.

“Nobody should have to sleep rough anywhere and that’s what we’re focused on eradicating.”

But Labour blamed the sharp rise in deaths of homeless people on the “results of Government decisions, Government choices”.

Shadow Housing Minister Melanie Onn accused the Conservatives of “complacency”.