NEARLY 800 deaths of homeless people were registered in 2021 across England and Wales, up 8 per cent on the previous year, shocking estimates published today show.

Some 741 fatalities were recorded, with the increase seeing the number of deaths returning to pre-pandemic levels after a drop in 2020.

Tory ministers were forced to temporarily house thousands of homeless people in emergency accommodation when Covid-19 hit in March that year.

Estimates of homeless deaths were rising in the years before the health crisis, from 482 in 2013 to 778 in 2019.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which compiled the most recent data, said it is “too early” to say whether last year’s rise signals a return to that upward trend.

Some 26 fatalities in 2021 involved coronavirus, while more than a third — 35 per cent — were related to drug poisoning, which was consistent with previous years.

London had the highest number at 154, about a fifth of the total, while north-west England recorded 114 — 15 per cent.

Polly Neate from homeless charity Shelter said the figures are “utterly awful and unacceptable” and warned they could get worse. 

She said: “Our front-line services are seeing more people who’ve run out of options, are facing homelessness and the very real possibility of sleeping rough.

“This is going to be one of the toughest winters yet as so many people battle rising rents while housing benefit stays frozen.

“The government promised to end rough sleeping, but things are getting worse not better.”

Ms Neate demanded ministers “immediately unfreeze and increase housing benefit to protect people from the ravages of homelessness this winter and invest in building good quality, supported social homes.”