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90 per cent of homeless people in the UK have been offered accommodation since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government said today.

Speaking at the daily press briefing, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said has is “very proud” of the effort of councils to help vulnerable people in their own areas, including securing safe accommodation for rough sleepers.

“And our plan to protect rough sleepers has resulted in over 90% being offered safe accommodation,” he said.

Mr Jenrick added: “Of course, this is not the end of rough sleeping. There is still a great deal of work to be done. And my department and I will be at the heart of that.”

On the subject of high streets and local businesses, he said: “I’m delighted that so many cafes and restaurants and other businesses have taken up the opportunity to switch to offering delivery, take away, and click-and-collect services.

“This expands the supply of food available to people, alongside the supermarkets, as well as allowing businesses that would otherwise have closed to remain open and to keep paying their staff.”