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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are in place to provide care for rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have been working with the Greater London Authority and a number of hotel chains across the country to secure accommodation for rough sleepers and we have now introduced a centrally coordinated process across Government for block booking hotels.

Over 90% of those on the streets and in communal night shelters known to local authorities at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis have now been made offers of safe accommodation – ensuring some of the most vulnerable in society are protected from the pandemic.

This response is backed by £3.2 billion of additional funding for local authorities to enable them to respond to COVID-19 pressures across the services they deliver. This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding to ensure that we minimise the risk to those currently unable to self-isolate.

The Government has made clear that no one should be without a roof over their head and this funding further demonstrates our commitment to assist the most vulnerable in society.