More homeless deaths were recorded in Surrey last year, new research has found.

An investigation by the Museum of Homelessness suggests the number of people who died while experiencing homelessness in the UK increased by almost a tenth in 2024.

Compiling data from Freedom of Information requests, media coverage, grassroots groups, homelessness sector workers and bereaved family and friends, the research found eight people experiencing homelessness died in Surrey in 2024.

It was up from six the previous year and means a total of 22 homeless people have died in the area between 2022 and 2024.

A total of 1,611 homeless people died across the UK in 2024, representing an average of four deaths per day.

It marked a 9% increase on 1,474 deaths the year before, and means 8,523 people experiencing homelessness have died since the museum's Dying Homeless Project which compiles the data began in 2017.

The research shows the majority (55%) of last year's deaths were 'deaths of despair' and are linked to suicide or drugs, prompting the museum to highlight "significant issues" with substances including spice and synthetic opioids.

The investigation also found 11 homeless children died last year, including four babies who had not yet reached their first birthday.

The researchers said it is likely these figures are lower than the true scale of child deaths and homelessness, as some local authorities might only record when the person who has applied for homelessness help dies in temporary accommodation, rather than all the members of their family.

The number of children who died in 2024 was up from four the year before.

The museum's definition of homelessness includes "all people who do not have a settled home", whether they are sleeping rough, living in emergency or temporary accommodation such as hostels or B&Bs, or living in short-term supported housing, sofa surfing or squatting.

The investigation found the proportion of those dying in temporary or supported accommodation has increased in the last three years, with 49% of homeless deaths recorded in temporary accommodation and 18% in supported accommodation in 2024.

The museum also pointed out the "controversial" use of exempt accommodation, a form of unregulated shared accommodation exempt from standard Housing Benefit rules, "continues to result in preventable deaths".

The research found 36 people living in exempt accommodation died in the UK in 2024. The figure is not included in totals to enable year-on-year comparisons.

Project director Matthew Turtle said the data "shows how homeless people continue to be deeply failed".

He added: "We are calling for urgent action from the Government to alleviate this crisis."

Gill Taylor, strategic lead for the project, said: "Whilst it is positive that local authorities and Safeguarding Adult Boards appear to be taking the issue more seriously, with better reporting and evidence of improved local partnership working to prevent deaths, turning the tide on this enormous loss of life needs more than better counting.

"We remember with love all those who died and continue our work in solidarity with bereaved loved ones and the homeless community."

Minister for Homelessness Alison McGovern said: "These figures are heartbreaking. Every loss of a life, especially the death of a child is an abject failure that cannot be tolerated.

"We simply cannot accept this as normal. Every person deserves a safe place to call home, which is why we are accelerating efforts to tackle the root causes of homelessness, expanding access to safe accommodation whilst also strengthening support services."