'Beware of false dawn', says charity as homelessness sees largest fall ever

The Government has hailed a significant drop in homelessness after new figures showed the number of people in emergency accommodation fell below 10,000 for the first time since last February.

The Department of Housing said there were 9,731 people homeless in December, down 717 on the figure for November. The news was welcomed by charities, although a senior figure in one organisation said "it's too soon to say we have turned the corner".