Today, Andy Burnham MP gave his first major speech since he was elected in Makerfield.

In the speech he said that, should he become Prime Minister, he would oversee the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period.

He said that there would be a decisive shift to a more preventative and productive state, “adopting a national Housing First philosophy” so that everyone has a good home.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “This was the speech of someone who understands a fundamental truth: a good, affordable home is the essential foundation we all need to build a life.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the prospect of a Housing First philosophy at the heart of Government. It would be transformative with benefits for employment, health, and economic growth. That’s why it must, as Andy Burnham says, be at the top of the country’s priority list.

“The level of ambition set out today - the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period – is exactly what is needed in the face of rising homelessness and record numbers of households in temporary accommodation.

"Words will need to turn into action, but from a housing and homelessness perspective this was one of the most hopeful speeches I’ve heard in many, many years."