Sign up to FREE email alerts from Liverpool Echo - Weekly Politics Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Walton MP Steve Rotheram joined volunteers from the Paper Cup Project to offer support to homeless people across Liverpool city centre tonight.

The Metro Mayor candidate spoke with some of the city’s most vulnerable as he helped the outreach team hand out food and hot drinks to those in need.

The Labour politician said he wanted to learn more about the issue of homeless and how people came to be on the streets as he plans to make tackling the issue a key priority if he is elected as the City Region’s mayor next year.

Volunteers met at the Bombed Out Church at 7.30pm before embarking on a route through the city centre that took in areas known to be hotspots for rough sleeping.

Starting on Bold Street the group handed out hot drinks, sandwiches, cakes and thermal blankets as well as pointing them in the direction of homeless support services.

Explaining his decision to help the Paper Cup Project tonight, Mr Rotheram said: “I think most people are aware that there’s a homelessness problem and I try to be pragmatic, I like to see things for myself, and it’s shocking to see the plain truth.

“Under the current government homelessness has gone up every single year the Tories have been in power.

“The council, charities and voluntary organisations are doing all they can do.

“When you are listening to some of the stories it’s heart rending - through no fault of their own people can end up in circumstances like this.

“And for a lot of people sleeping rough there is some involvement with government policies - whether that is the Bedroom Tax or a million and one other things - they have ended up in a downward spiral. From some of the stories, it can happen to anyone.”

The Paper Cup Project typically deliver hot meals to homeless people across the city centre on Monday nights, and are supported by South Liverpool Homes as they attempt to advise those they help over what help is available.

On a typical night they help between 30 and 40 people.

Welcoming Mr Rotheram’s support Michelle Langan, who helps run the project, said: “I’m really pleased he’s come out. I think it’s really good that he is speaking to people to find out what the issues are and why people are out on the streets.”

Asked how people can best help rough sleepers, Ms Langan advised: “Stop and talk to them, buy them a hot drink or have a chat with them. The most important thing is that human contact.”

For more details on the Paper Cup Project visit their Facebook page here .