Plans should be drawn up for the next steps for rough sleepers housed by Swindon Borough Council during the coronavirus lockdown.

And that might include suggesting they move in with family or friends.

Dozens of homeless people were given shelter in hotels across Swindon when the crisis began.

Minister Luke Hall is reported to have emailed council to councils requesting that they set out their future plans.

In the mail he says councils should “seek to encourage people, where appropriate and possible, to return to friends and family”.

Swindon council said it had already drawn up its plans.

A spokesman said: “

The council already has a plan in place for ongoing support to those who have slept rough or who are at risk of doing so again.

“The plan is under constant review and will be shared with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government next week.

“This includes more support and accommodation options, as well as helping the voluntary sector to restart their services that enables individuals to stay off the streets.

“An important part of our work involves mediating with families and friends, which in turn can assist with both ongoing support and rehousing.”

But the suggestion about friends or family did not impress Labour councillor Emma Bushell.

She said: “If the government has suggested that rough sleepers should move in with friends or family it sounds like the strategy is to encourage a return to large-scale sofa-surfing.

“What is needed is funding for decent-quality, permanent accommodation with support to address issues that may have been a cause or consequence of homelessness like mental health or substance abuse.

“Sofa-surfing is only likely to lead people to return to the streets when friends of families are no longer able to offer support.

“I’d be hugely disappointed if the council goes down this route rather than providing permanent, supported accommodation for those it has looked after so well during lockdown.

“If it does, the council will be missing a massive opportunity to end rough sleeping in Swindon.

“The Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick went on TV recently to promise millions of pounds to deliver 6,000 new houses for rough sleepers.

“If this turns out to be another empty promise it will be a betrayal not only of rough-sleepers themselves but of all the hard work done over the last 10 weeks by councils and charities to keep vulnerable people off the streets and safe.”