BURNLEY council has accused the government of failing to tackle the issue of homelessness.

New guidelines issued earlier this year ignore the part housing benefit rules play in making local people homeless -- according to a council report.

The government's draft code of guidance on Homelessness has been circulated for comment to councils across the country.

Burnley Borough Council has responded by welcoming the code's advice on developing homelessness strategies but claims the document ducks two of the main issues.

Housing operations manager Steve Tilly told the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, that: "It is interesting to note that the code's only reference to Housing Benefit as a cause of homelessness appears to be restricted to homelessness arising from delays in administration.

"In Burnley the Housing Benefit caps imposed by government regulation on certain households seeking re-housing in the private sector are a contributory factor that has driven up homelessness in the borough.

"The council would welcome a commitment from the government to effectively tackle this issue."

The council also criticises the code for for ignoring the plight of single people left living in bed and breakfast accommodation when, according to their officers, the issue in the north is far worse than the plight of families left in a similar situation.

The council's position on the issue has been backed up by a leading charity for the homeless.

A spokesman for Shelter said: "For single people it means that they are restricted to rents that would be the equivalent of being able to share a house.

"So that many people are unable to get a one bedroom flat or house of their own on Housing Benefit.

"It does restrict the kind of accommodation can get access to and is forcing people into the lowest standard of housing or on to the streets."