More than £40 million is to be spent over the next year helping the most vulnerable people in Liverpool.

The Supporting People scheme - one of the largest of its type in the country - helps 10,500 people improve their quality of life by providing a stable living environment to help them avoid life in a care home, hospital or on the street. 

This year, Liverpool has been chosen as one of just two local authorities in the north west to be given the freedom to spend the money how it wishes.

Previously, the money has been "ringfenced" and had to be spent using strict criteria. This has meant the city council has had to turn down projects because they didn't satisfy the rules.

It could see the introduction of services such as advocacy support for women escaping domestic violence, or linking older people's housing to active aging programmes to help them keep fit, preventing their health from deteriorating. 

The removal of the ringfence is being seen as a major vote of confidence in Liverpool, after the programme was praised by the Audit Commission last September for a massive improvement in the quality of the service.

Councillor Dave Antrobus, Lib Dem executive member for adult social care, said: "This is really great news and shows that the government trusts us to use the cash as we see fit, rather than shackling us to a set of criteria which has prevented us from making the most of the money.

"We have made a tremendous amount of progress in a relatively short space of time and we are determined to take this opportunity to help more people get the most out of their lives and not end up excluded from society."

Supporting People helps people who have perhaps been homeless, in hospital, prison or those with learning disabilities or drug problems. It also helps elderly people live in safety and comfort at home.

"We are have already commissioned 10 new services to benefit vulnerable people over the past few months, including a service to support older people within their own homes. 

"This will lift a lot of the restrictions that have prevented us from reaching groups of people in the past."