LABOUR slammed the government today for suggesting that rough sleepers housed during the coronavirus emergency should now move in with family or friends.

Homelessness minister Luke Hall has given local authorities a week to set out support plans for rough sleepers housed during the pandemic.

He asked councils to “seek to encourage people, where appropriate and possible, to return to friends and family.”

Shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire said: “These comments smack of incompetence — Luke Hall has shown a woeful lack of understanding about the complex reasons why so many people sleep rough in this country.

“If rough sleepers were able to return to their friends and family, they would not be sleeping rough. They need somewhere safe to live and the support to make a go of it.

“The government should be working with councils to fulfil its commitment to end rough sleeping, not washing of its hands of the responsibility to house the homeless.”