MATT Rodda MP has pledged to help end rough sleeping during a homelessness event in Parliament.

Rough sleeping has increased by 134 per cent nationally over the last five years and St Mungo's is one of many charities in Reading tackling the problem.

Mr Rodda, MP for Reading East, was one of 50 politicians to speak in the House of Commons, with more than 8,000 people sleeping rough in London in 2016-17.

He said: β€œIn addition to London, Reading has seen a significant increase in the amount of rough sleepers in the town.

"While I welcome the announcement of a new homelessness taskforce in the recent Budget statement, I shall continue to hold the Government to account on its continued programme of cuts which is partly why we have such a high incidence of rough sleeping in our society.”