More than half of councils are planning ‘warm spaces’ where people can shelter from the cold this winter amid soaring energy costs, new research suggests.
A survey by charity Save the Children found that out of 355 councils in England and Wales, at least 194 are directly involved in, or supporting local groups to open, warm spaces designed to take financial pressures off local residents and vulnerable groups.More councils are expected to confirm local initiatives. Town halls have spent thousands of pounds on grants to fund initiatives.
Hundreds of warm spaces are being set up in libraries, leisure centres, theatres, art galleries, museums, children’s centres, churches and other community facilities.
One senior London councillor told The MJ: ‘We are planning as much support as financially possible during a winter likely to be dogged by huge energy bills, a deepening recession and heightened risk of homelessness.’
Dan Paskins, director of UK impact at Save the Children, said; ‘The scale of preparations under way to provide warm spaces this winter shows how communities and councils are doing their best to help people through these tough times.
‘Now we need the government to match this commitment.’
