The number of homeless people in England could increase by a third by 2024, new research has warned today.

Research by Heriot-Watt University for Crisis said the end of pandemic protections such as the eviction ban and Universal Credit uplift could lead to a sharp rise in the number of homeless people.

The vast majority of the councils surveyed (97%) said the end of the eviction ban would lead to an increase in homelessness while 80% said the cut to Universal Credit will have the same impact.

Chief executive at Crisis, Matt Downie, said: 'The warning from these findings is clear: without action, more people will be forced to live without a place to call home.

'The protections put in place during the pandemic helped thousands of people off the streets and prevented many more from facing homelessness.

'It would be shameful for this progress to unravel before us, at a huge human cost and financial one for the councils left to foot the bill.'

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: 'Government interventions have prevented almost 450,000 households from becoming homeless since 2017.

'This year councils have been given an extra £65m to support low income households with rent arrears.'