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The government has refused to confirm plans to recruit a replacement lead for its COVID-19 Rough Sleeping Taskforce after former incumbent Dame Louise Casey’s sudden departure in August.
In response to a written parliamentary question submitted by shadow housing secretary Thangam Debbonaire, homelessness minister Kelly Tolhurst failed to confirm that the government plans to appoint a successor to Dame Louise.
Ms Tolhurst said: “The COVID-19 Rough Sleeping Taskforce was set up to ensure that as many people as possible who were brought in off the streets in this pandemic do not return to the streets.
“Dame Louise Casey led the taskforce through its emergency phase, tackling the immediate issues and establishing a clear roadmap for continuing this vital work.
“The government will continue to drive forward this important work.”
Ms Debbonaire had asked when a successor to Dame Louise would be appointed.
In response to a query from Inside Housing about whether the minister’s answer means there are no current plans to appoint a new taskforce head, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it had nothing to add.
The COVID-19 Rough Sleeping Taskforce was launched in May to ensure rough sleepers who were housed in hotels and other emergency accommodation in the early months of lockdown did not return to the streets.
Dame Louise, who was initially hired by the government in February to lead a review into its wider homelessness policies, was appointed as head of the taskforce, but announced her departure from the role just three months later.
At the time of her departure, charity leaders warned the government not to leave a “leadership vacuum”. Calls have since been made on the government to confirm it still plans to go ahead with its wider homelessness review.
It comes as a number of leading charities and health organisations warn that homeless people will die this winter unless the government intervenes, due to the double threat of cold weather and COVID-19.
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