Councils across the UK are being encouraged to open all the cold weather shelters they have in their area, as some have suggested they are refusing to due to budget cuts, reports Inside Housing.

Those working in housing management jobs are the most worried about the situation; "We are concerned to hear of some reluctance to implement arrangements that could save lives because of cuts," says Jenny Edwards, chief executive of charity Homeless, "While we understand the current pressures on local budgets, we do not accept this is an area that can be cut."

Most councils have reportedly put in place measures to protect local homeless people, and charities - such as St Mungo's - are trying to help local authorities by opening doors to their shelters. St Mungo's has opened its annual SWEP hostels early this year, and added an extra 25 beds into its Islington branch.

A representative for the charity, Luton Sinfield, says of the move: "This is the first time in almost 15 years of working at St Mungo's that I can remember opening SWEP facilities so early."

"These extreme circumstances can be a time when some of the most resistant rough sleepers want to come in off the streets."

One of the councils in question, Truro in Cornwall, are worried that the cuts expected to hit their budgets will affect the area's most vulnerable people. In the Cornish Guardian, chairman of the local Supporting People Providers Partnership, has pleaded with the Government to give homeless people "special treatment", claiming "Supporting People services are all about helping people. Some services prevent people becoming homeless, others get homeless people back into accommodation."