Government ministers have written to leaders in Liverpool demanding they take immediate action to offer every rough sleeper in the city a route off the streets by Christmas. The letters, sent by the Health and Housing Secretaries to council and NHS leaders, set out a series of protocols and leadership plans to prepare for what could be a difficult winter for people on the streets.
Key Demands on Health and Housing
The instructions include improving hospital discharges so that no one leaving hospital is left on the streets. Services such as health, housing, and care are expected to work more closely together, with mental health and addiction support offered to those who need it.
On the health side, the government wants local leaders to remove barriers to accessing healthcare, such as making it easier for people to register with a GP. The letters state that people should not be denied access to healthcare because they lack a fixed address, identification, or digital access.
National Programme and Funding
The guidance follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham making eradicating rough sleeping a key priority of his time in office. In August, the government announced the new Rough Sleeping Programme, providing funding in 2026/27 for local authorities and Mayoral Strategic Authorities.
The programme also provides funding in 2027/28 and 2028/29 for new settled homes and intensive wraparound support for people experiencing long-term rough sleeping. At the Budget, the government announced a further £432m investment in the rough sleeping programme, including funding to continue providing routes off the streets in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
This funding brings the total rough sleeping money put forward by the Prime Minister to support his goal of ending rough sleeping to £874 million.
Local Response in Liverpool
Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety, said: “A route off the streets must mean more than a roof for the night. It must come with the healthcare, treatment and support people need to recover and rebuild their lives.
“We are calling on NHS leaders, councils and local partners to act urgently so everyone sleeping rough has a route off the streets before Christmas. That means joining up mental health and drug and alcohol services, removing barriers to GP care, and planning safe discharge so people are not sent from hospital back to the streets.”
Liverpool Council leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: "We’re committed to ensuring that no one in our city has to sleep rough at any time – not just over Christmas. Alongside our leading, multi-sectoral partnership with The Whitechapel Centre, we’re committing an additional £1.6m in grant funding to provide rapid support and accommodation options for people who are, or are at risk of, rough sleeping.
"This year alone, we have seen a 40% reduction in rough sleeping, but we know we have more to do. Working alongside the combined authority, local NHS partners and community groups, we will ensure that everyone sleeping rough is given the opportunity to access vital services, mental health support and safe and secure accommodation."
