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<p>Every death of someone sleeping rough on our streets is one too many and we take
this matter extremely seriously. The Government is committed to reducing homelessness
and rough sleeping. No one should ever have to sleep rough. That is why last summer
we published the cross-government Rough Sleeping Strategy. This sets out an ambitious
£100 million package to help people who sleep rough now, but also puts in place the
structures that will end rough sleeping once and for all. The Government has now committed
over £1.2 billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping over the spending review
period. In its first year, the Rough Sleeping Initiative provided over 1,750 new bed
spaces and 500 staff.</p><p>It should not happen that people die prematurely and on
the street because they are homeless. Whilst we recognise that suitable housing is
a key part of the solution, health services have a significant role to play, alongside
other public services. My department is working with the Department for Health and
Social Care to ensure that rough sleepers have the health care they need, when they
need it. The 10 year NHS long-term plan sets out that the NHS will invest up to £30
million on health services for people sleeping rough from 2019/20.</p><p> </p>
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