Extra funding will be given to 43 areas across England to help rough sleepers recover from drug and alcohol misuse.

The areas will receive support from a £23m government fund, which will be boosted by a further £52m in 2021 to 2022.

The money will be used to detox and rehabilitation services, and wraparound support such as access to mental health and substance dependence workers.

Minister for rough sleeping and housing, Kelly Tolhurst, said: ‘We know that one of the main issues facing those sleeping rough, or at risk of homelessness, is misuse of drugs or alcohol and what a crippling effect these substances have on people’s lives.

’While our ‘Everyone In’ campaign has helped to protect thousands of lives, we still need to work hard to break the cycle of rough sleeping for good.’