Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the covid-19 pandemic, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) support and (b) protection for people sleeping rough.

MHCLG continues to work with local partners, including local authorities and local resilience forums, to assist preparedness to manage the potential impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak. We absolutely recognise the difficulties involved in self-isolation for people who are homeless. That is why Public Health England have now published further guidance for hostels and day centres. We are considering whether further action is required and are working with the sector to develop an appropriate response as a matter of urgency.

£1.6 billion of additional funding will go to local authorities to enable them to respond to other COVID-19 pressures across all the services they deliver, including stepping up support for homeless people.