People struggling to heat their homes amid rising energy prices will be able to gather at art galleries, community centres and libraries earmarked as communal “warm banks” in council-led initiatives around the country.
The Times reports that Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen councils are among those investigating using public spaces as refuges for people unable to afford to heat their homes, in the same way that food banks are available for those who cannot afford essentials.
The response came amid fears that household energy bills, expected to rise by 80% to an average of £3,549 in October, could make it too expensive for millions to heat their homes.
Aberdeen City Council is planning to promote its wide network of libraries and community spaces for people to stay warm.
It is hoped these spaces will give people the opportunity to stay warm where required.
Live Life Aberdeenshire – which delivers sports and culture services on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council – is planning to give access to showers and other amenities at the facilities to help those struggling with the rising energy costs.
These community and sports centres are part of the local authority’s resilience efforts. During the recent storms, they provided access to hot showers, hot drinks, Wifi and charging points for hundreds of residents without heat or power.
A poll published yesterday found that almost one in four adults (23%) plan to keep their heating turned off this winter.
The Savanta ComRes survey of 2,000 adults, which was carried out before the price cap rise was announced, found that among parents with children under 18 the figure was even higher, at 27%
Almost 70% of adults said that even if they kept the heating on they planned to use it less.
Labour has accused the UK Government of ignoring an impending economic catastrophe.
A UK Government spokesman said: “We know people are incredibly worried about rising energy bills, following unprecedented gas prices across the continent driven by global events”, which it said included President “Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and his weaponisation of energy in Europe".
He added: "Direct support will continue to reach people’s pockets in the weeks and months ahead, targeted at those who need it most.”