AN MP who fears rough sleeping in Milton Keynes is underestimated has welcomed an overhaul of how homeless people are counted.

Mark Lancaster, MP for Milton Keynes North, had noted with concern the council’s measure of homelessness, which includes a count across the city every four years.

The most recent, in 2008, concluded that there were only four people sleeping rough in Milton Keynes.

Now the Government has said it is reviewing the way such counts are conducted.

Mr Lancaster said: "I have heard from homeless charities that these counts are too infrequent and not thorough enough. A snapshot every four years is treated with skepticism. Are there really four rough sleepers in our city of nearly a quarter of a million people? It’s worrying that services have been based on these statistics."

The 2008 count, conducted by 27 volunteers, revealed that people were sleeping outside the city church, at Midsummer Boulevard and Genesis House, while there was evidence of others in Campbell Park, outside the Theatre, at the Xscape and by the railway.

The last two counts in 2004 and 1999 also concluded that there were four rough sleepers, and evidence of four more.

Housing minister Grant Shapps announced that the numbers of rough sleepers nationally have hit an 11-year low, but he is dubious of the methodology behind the street counts.

In fact, the reality could actually be treble the current estimates, he said on Monday and he wants councils and charities to be given a credible measure of the problem in their area.

Mr Lancaster added: “I have visited homeless people at the YMCA and seen the fantastic work that is being done there. It is good to see the Government is taking the issue so seriously.”