Ministers could ban London councils ‘dumping’ homeless families miles away

Houses in Hartlepool. Some London families have been sent to the town, whose MP said the policy was increasing local tension. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

London councils could be banned from “dumping” homeless families hundreds of miles across England under measures being considered by ministers, the Guardian has learned.

MPs said vulnerable people, including women fleeing abuse, were being “coerced” into choosing between rough sleeping or moving to cheap, sparsely furnished properties in some of the poorest parts of the country.