ST HELENS North MP David Baines has welcomed funding to combat rough sleeping in St Helens.

St Helens Council is to receive £65,000 this Winter to support its efforts to combat rough sleeping.

The money is drawn from a £10m national emergency fund which the government says will “protect rough sleepers by paying for access to a safe and warm bed”.

It is aimed at preventing unnecessary deaths and the allocation of funds was based on the need identified, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) spokesperson confirmed.

David Baines, MP for St Helens North, described the move as "immediate action" while also taking steps to tackle this crisis at its root.

This funding complements the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2022-25 in supporting local authorities to create additional off the street capacity for people sleeping rough in winter, including providing support to veterans, care leavers and victims of domestic abuse at risk of, or currently experiencing rough sleeping, as well as to people who have slept rough long-term.

The government said that “people who are homeless or rough sleeping are 8 to 12 times more likely than the general population to die prematurely, particularly from chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases”.

David Baines MP said: “I welcome this extra funding from our Labour government which will help support the brilliant work that St Helens council are already doing with local groups such as Hope Centre, the Salvation Army and YMCA to combat rough sleeping in St Helens North.

"We all know that with the Winter months coming, this is a high-risk period. Ultimately, the services St Helens council provides will help reduce the risk of deaths from exposure to extreme weather for the most vulnerable individuals.

“This along with other measures in the Renters Rights Bill is a crucial step to tackle this crisis at its root and ensure everyone has access to the basic right of safe and secure housing.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Anyone forced to sleep rough on our streets represents a complete failure of the broken system we’ve inherited.

"It’s a national disgrace, and we can’t keep sticking plasters on it. “We are approaching the harshest months of the year which is why we are taking immediate action to reach anyone sleeping rough and help them off the streets this winter."

If you've seen someone sleeping rough or who may need support in St Helens, please contact the Housing Options and Advice Service on 01744 675150.