ROUGH sleeping has risen in St Helens over recent years, according to latest figures.

Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that nine people in St Helens were thought to be sleeping rough each night in autumn last year, the most recent period for which numbers are available.

This is in comparison with just two rough sleepers counted back in 2010, reflecting a trend across the region.

In the North West, there were an estimated 434 rough sleepers - the highest level since data was first published in 2010 - nine per cent of the 4,751 across England.

National government has pledged £100m to end rough sleeping.

The new strategy will focus on stopping people from becoming homeless in the first place, provide support for mental health and addictions, and help people secure accommodation.

The budget includes £50 million for homes outside London for those ready to move on from hostels or refuges, and £30 million for mental health support for rough sleepers.

Rough sleeping has become an increasingly widespread problem in recent years, with the number of people across England affected increasing year-on-year since data was first published . Over that time, the number of rough sleepers nearly tripled.

In a joint statement, seven homelessness charities who advised ministers hailed the strategy as "a significant step towards the government's goal of ending rough sleeping by 2027, which will make a real difference to people's lives".

However, the charities - Crisis, Homeless Link, National Housing Federation, Shelter, St Basils, St Mungos and Thames Reach - warned: "For the strategy to work, the government must also set out bold, cross-departmental plans to tackle the root causes of all forms of homelessness and prevent it from happening in the first place.

“This must include plans to build significantly more social housing, to foster greater security for renters, to ensure people have access to benefits and other support they need to help them keep their homes.”