The number of street sleepers in London has hit a new high of almost 12,000

The number of rough sleepers on London's streets is at a record high, up 58 per cent in a decade, according to new figures.

Figures released on Thursday by Homeless Link, an organisation that deals with homelessness in the UK, showed the number of rough sleepers in London was 10,993 in the year to March, the highest on record for a single year, AFP reported.

In 2013-14, there were only 7,581 street sleepers.

According to Homeless Link, UK citizens make up 45% of those living on the streets. Nearly a third of the rest are from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia, and about a quarter are from Europe.

Mr Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, described the figures as "shocking" and said the government formed after the July 4 general election should develop a cross-party plan to tackle the problem.

He said there was a need for rapid provision of "truly affordable and safe housing" and well-funded services to "help people tackle the root causes of poverty and get off the streets for good".

Homelessness charity Crisis said the overall figures were "deeply shameful and highlight the urgent need for the next government to get a grip on this crisis".

Britain, the world's sixth-largest economy, has experienced decades of high inflation in 2023 and has also seen a shortage of affordable rental housing in recent years. Charities and campaigners have long called on the government to commit to building 90,000 social rented homes a year.