The head of a homeless charity in Kent has warned more cash is needed to end rough sleeping after the Government announced big spending plans.

Porchlight chief executive Mike Barrett called Theresa May's £100 million cash injection "a good start" but said more money is required to tackle the causes of the issue.

The Government has promised £50m towards housing people outside of London, which will be aimed at rough sleepers who are ready to move into refuges or hostels and need additional support.

With a focus on prevention, intervention and recovery, the Government hopes this plans will help eradicate homelessness by 2027.

However Housing and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has faced criticism after admitting on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this money is not new but "reprioritised".

Despite this Mr Barrett sees the Government's focus on the root causes of homelessness as "refreshing".

He said: "It's not just a question of getting people off the streets into some form of housing - it's supporting them while they are on the streets.

"So this will help enormously but this has got to be a first step.

"What we need is continued investment in this work because people are on the streets for a myriad of reasons but we have got to start tackling the root cause."

Mr Barrett, who was closely involved in discussions about the rough sleeping strategy, added mental health should be at the forefront of solving the problem because "if you got that sorted that would stop a lot of people ending up on the streets".

Yet he criticised the recent Homelessness Reduction Act for not going "the full hog" as councils will only fulfil the "bare minimum" as their budgets have been squeezed.

Homelessness in Kent is on the increase with Canterbury City Council, Maidstone Borough Council and Thanet District Council in the top 10 for the highest number of rough sleepers in the South East.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield (Labour), claimed on Twitter homelessness was eliminated in the last Labour government and this plan comes after eight years of "soaring numbers" of rough sleepers.

She also shared concerns after Mr Brokenshire admitted the money is not new, just "reprioritised".

Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab), one of the councillors who has contributed funds to a community kitchen in Margate, claims deprived areas will not see any of these promised funds.

He claims "real action" to help rough sleepers comes from the community and does not "trickle down" from Government.

He said: "Show us where the money is in Thanet?

"We have been waiting 30 years for money and I'm just getting on with it.

"What we need is continued investment in this work because people are on the streets for a myriad of reasons but we have got to start tackling the root cause..." - Mike Barrett, Porchlight

"Thanet is one of the most deprived areas of Kent and we haven't seen any of this money.

"The Summer Kitchen is running without any funds from the Government and through the hard work of volunteers.

"To help people we are going to just have to do it on our own. It's not solved through money at the top."

Announcing this new plan, James Brokenshire said: "It is simply unacceptable that people have to sleep on our streets and I am determined to make it a thing of the past.

"Whether people are at risk of rough sleeping, already on the streets or in need of settled accommodation, we now have a solid plan to help the most vulnerable in our society.

"And this is not just about putting a roof over their heads but helping them find a place to call home.

"They need and deserve our support and, through our expert-backed strategy, I am confident they will get it."