THE Government has announced extra support for rough sleepers which includes councils being asked to make sure they register with GP surgeries.

English councils will be instructed to “redouble their efforts” to accommodate those on the streets during the lockdown, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said.

They will also be asked to ensure rough sleepers are “swiftly” registered with a GP so they can be contacted and receive a coronavirus vaccine when it is their turn.

Councils will be asked to reach out again to those who have previously refused help, as infection rates soar over the cold winter months.

The Government also said it will extend a ban on bailiff evictions, which was due to end on Monday, to ensure renters are not evicted while restrictions are in place.

The ban has been extended for six weeks until at least February 21, except for the most egregious cases, such as anti-social behaviour or extreme arrears.

This means bailiffs will not be able to remove people from properties until March 8 as they must give 14 days’ notice.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ”At the start of this pandemic we made sure that the most vulnerable in society were protected. This winter, we are continuing in this vein and redoubling our efforts to help those most in need.

“Our ongoing ‘Everyone In’ initiative is widely regarded as one of the most successful of its kind in the world, ensuring 33,000 people are safe in accommodation. We are now going further and focusing on GP registration of rough sleepers.

“We are also extending the ban on bailiff evictions – helping to protect the most vulnerable renters.”

Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said the renewed efforts, backed by £10 million, will save lives and that registering with a doctor’s surgery will protect homeless people in the longer term.

He said: “It was truly a landmark moment when, back in March, everyone on the streets was offered somewhere safe to stay.

“It’s as important, if not more so, that today we see government leadership to protect all those sleeping rough. The highly infectious new strain of coronavirus alongside the cold weather makes this the most dangerous moment of the pandemic for those without a home.

“What is very welcome here is the two-pronged approach – a continued commitment to getting everyone into safe accommodation but also now making sure people are registered with a GP so they can quickly access the vaccines.”

Steve Douglas, chief executive of St Mungo’s, said: “We and other homelessness charities called on Government to provide an urgent and decisive response to support those sleeping rough who now face the double threat of severely cold weather and a continued health emergency.

“We welcome this response and will work with our local authority and health partners to provide both the immediate accommodation and the health care advice that is needed to protect lives.”

Court hearings concerning potential evictions will continue, with a prioritisation of cases such as those involving anti-social behaviour, illegal occupation and domestic abuse.

And it will remain the case that landlords seeking to evict tenants must give six months’ notice until the end of March.

Charities had previously called for the original six-month eviction ban, which was introduced for the first lockdown and expired in September, to be reinstated.

This prevented landlords from starting legal proceedings to evict tenants.

There will also be a mediation pilot to help resolve disputes between landlords and renters who face court procedures and potential eviction from February.

This will take place in England and Wales.

Paul Noblet, head of public affairs at youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, said the funding for rough sleepers will come as a relief, adding: “The extension of protection for renters will also be welcomed by thousands of tenants who feared they may be forced into homelessness once the eviction ban ended next week.

“Plans to link up with GPs to speed up the vaccination of rough sleepers is very good news, but it’s vital that the Government also prioritises for a vaccine those working with homeless people to make sure that charities can keep their doors open throughout the winter.”