One in six rough sleepers is from Eastern Europe

Figures show the number of penniless immigrants from countries such as Poland and Romania has rocketed since the expansion of the European Union in 2004, with many left sleeping rough because of spiralling London rents.

A straw poll of boroughs, published this week in Hansard in response to a parliamentary question, found that in Westminster 20 of the 112 rough sleepers are from eastern Europe. In Redbridge almost half of street sleepers are from the former Eastern Bloc, as are a third in Lambeth.

The Evening Standard met more than 40 homeless people gathering in Victoria Street, waiting for food from volunteers.

Alena Brnova, who moved to Britain from Slovakia three years ago, was forced to give up her small flat because she could not afford it - despite working full-time.

Her £150-a-week salary would not cover her rent of £120 per week as well as other outgoings.

She found work as a hotel chambermaid in Victoria but still did not earn enough to pay for rent and is now living rough. She relies on food handouts.

Ms Brnova said: "It is so hard. I work seven days a week with no time off. I can't pay rent so I have to sleep on the street. I came here to work but never thought I would be on the street."

Marek Dmytruszyinski, 38, is also homeless. "I have been on the streets for one year after working for two and a half years," he said.

Tim Nicholls, director of the Simon Community, which delivers food to the homeless, said unscrupulous bosses were a big part of why so many eastern Europeans were homeless.

He said: "We hear lots of stories of exploitation by employers who don't care if they are breaking the minimum wage. Workers live in terrible conditions, sometimes earning as little as £1.50 per hour."