Emergency plans to open public buildings as “warm banks” for people in danger of freezing to death this winter are being devised by councils.
A Sunday Mail investigation has revealed local authorities are already working on schemes over fears that rocketing energy bills will leave thousands unable to heat their homes.
Last week it emerged annual gas and electricity charges will likely surge to £3420 in October before jumping to a horrifying £3850 in January.
One mum who lives with her disabled son has told how she is forced to walk around shopping centres for hours on end to stay warm.
There have been calls for libraries, town halls and community centres to be opened up for people as the temperatures begin to drop.
Our probe found councils including Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Perth and Kinross, South Ayrshire, Fife, South Lanarkshire, Falkirk and East Renfrewshire are considering warm banks or similar measures.
Fife Council’s community development manager Tim Kendrick is already looking to identify locations.
He said: “We’re involving local partners and talking to community centres and libraries across Fife to identify priority locations.”
A South Ayrshire Council spokesman said: “We will be looking at a range of measures to mitigate the impact of this, and this will include consideration of establishing warm banks.”
Glasgow City Council says it will look at “emerging ideas” like warm banks.
Dundee City Council is planning a community “cosy spaces” scheme in the city to help keep local residents warm.
Meanwhile a spokesman for South Lanarkshire said: “The council is currently looking into warm space schemes and is keen to work with tenants and residents’ groups to discuss how such schemes could be set up and the benefits to vulnerable households.”
Aberdeen City Council will be promoting its network of libraries and community spaces.
A spokesman said: “These spaces will give people the opportunity to stay warm where required.”
Falkirk Council added: “We promote our libraries and community venues as open, free, warm, welcoming and safe for everyone.
“This could of course include people spending time in them because of the costs of heating their own homes.”
Demands for warm banks come as two of the UK’s biggest energy firms announced soaring profits, described as an “insult” to millions of people struggling amid the cost of living crisis.
Shell and Centrica sparked outrage by announcingg huge windfalls.
Shell posted record earnings of nearly £10billion for the three-month period from April to June and promised to give shareholders payouts worth £6.5billion.
Shell’s chief executive, Ben van Beurden, said: “It is what it is.”
At the same time, Centrica, the owner of British Gas, reinstated its dividend, handing investors £59million, after reporting operating profits of £1.3billion during the first half of 2022.
Age Scotland chief executive Brian Sloan, said: “Desperate times call for desperate measures and we welcome the idea of warm banks to keep older people warm and well this winter.
“The tragic reality is many will die needlessly this winter if preventive action is not taken now.
“We’re urging the Scottish Government and councils to make sure doors are open in communities and they financially support organisations and groups to make warm banks happen.”
Councillor Danny Devlin plans to set up a warm bank in the centre of Barrhead, Renfrewshire, over the next few weeks to provide a refuge for constituents who can’t afford to heat their homes.
He said: “It is a sad sign of the times but we must do something to help people who would otherwise be left freezing.”
David MacInnes, of Homeless Project Scotland, said: “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.
“Providing meals is allowing them to go home and heat their homes.
“But they shouldn’t have to make that choice.”
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said whoever becomes the next Prime Minister must act on heating costs.
He added: “It’s no surprise that the idea of ‘warm banks’ is being considered. We don’t want to see people suffering alone in cold homes. We must be clear – everyone should have the financial means to stay warm in their own home.”
Warm banks have also been suggested by TV money saving expert Martin Lewis, while councils in Manchester and Bristol have said
public buildings will be made available this winter for this purpose.
Scottish Lib Dem economy spokesman Willie Rennie MSP said: “Frankly it’s a tragedy that services like this are becoming necessary but they should be set up before the crisis deepens.
“Both the Scottish and UK governments need to do far more.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “It’s imperative that those struggling with heating their homes access the support they need to reduce their energy bills.
“We have expanded our Home Energy Scotland advice service to help an extra 12,000 households a year receive free, impartial advice.
“We will continue to monitor the best ways we, along with our local government partners, can provide support.
“Our Low Income Winter Heating Assistance will guarantee an annual £50 payment to around 400,000 low-income households each winter.”
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