A Lanarkshire council are considering plans to use town halls, libraries and other properties across the region as "warm banks" to combat the cost of living crisis.
The proposals by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) have been described as showing the "heartbreaking" impact of soaring energy prices on locals, particularly society's most vulnerable.
The plans remain at an early stage, but would likely see council properties offer a warm place for people to go to, giving them heat if they are struggling to cope with bills, as well as other services and advice.
Locations that could be used include the likes of Rutherglen Town Hall, Rutherglen Library and the Town House in Hamilton.
Rutherglen Central and North councillor Martin Lennon, of the Labour administration at SLC, told Lanarkshire Live the plans could help ahead of a "difficult" few months.
He said: "SLC are actively exploring Warm Space schemes as part of our response to the cost of living crisis.
"The new administration will bring forward new cost of living support measures and we are calling for extra resources from government to allow us to do even more.
"The sheer numbers being toppled into fuel poverty by rising heating costs underline the need for nationwide change to reboot the economy and free people from the insecurity of the cost of living crisis.
"The crisis was not created locally and it will not be resolved locally, but we will take local action - as a council and as a community - to help people through the difficult months ahead. "
The concept of "warm banks" to help locals needing heat was recently raised by the money saving expert Martin Lewis, ahead of an autumn that is expected to see energy prices soar again.
The energy cap rose to almost £2000 in April, and in May, UK energy regulator Ofgem estimated that the price cap would reach £2800 when reviewed again in October - but Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive officer at Ofgem, recently warned those predictions were likely to underestimate the scale of the increase, amid fears the cap could be closer to £4000.
Charities have already warned of people not using their heating during the freezing winter months to try as they will be unable to afford it.
Colin MacInnes, of Homeless Project Scotland, told us : "These buildings should give people somewhere where they can go for a heat, something to eat and also provide welfare services like a doctor and dentist.
"They are having to choose between eating or heating their homes. We are seeing cold, vulnerable and hungry families every single night of the week."
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said the fact warm spaces are being considered was "heartbreaking".
She stated: "Deeply worrying forecasts have shown that annual energy bills could soar to almost £4000 in a mere matter of months.
"With no substantial help from the UK Government in sight, this could lead to a very grim winter for tens of millions of households across the UK.
"It is heartbreaking that schemes like 'warm banks' are even being considered, and it shows why the UK Government must step up and provide energy bill support.
"No one should ever have to choose between heating or eating."
Rutherglen South councillor Robert Brown, of the Liberal Democrats, believes a variety of ideas will be needed.
He stated: "The idea of ‘warm banks’ is worth exploring and could be helpful.
"However most people will want to be warm in their own homes and so further government action to help with heating, speed up insulation projects to reduce heating costs and provide advice and targeted support for those most at risk is the priority."
The news comes just days after energy firms Shell and Centrica announced massive profits, meaning bumper pay-outs for shareholders.
A number of other Scottish councils are understood to also be looking at the warm places concept.
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