Libraries and leisure centres could be used as emergency heated shelters to keep vulnerable people warm during the winter as energy bills soar. The suggestion has been made by an English MP as a way to keep desperate families from freezing at home.
There are growing fears for millions of people as gas and electricity bills are set to soar in October before they are forecast to be more than £4,000 on average by January. It is feared people will not be able to heat the homes because of fears over bills, Birmingham Live reports.
Midlands MP Helen Morgan said: "Places like libraries and leisure centres could easily be adapted to provide a safe space for people to sit and keep warm during the day, at no extra cost to the taxpayer. Community heating hubs are simple, easily implemented and could be a literal lifeline for some households this winter.”
Ms Morgan, Lib Dem MP for North Shropshire and the party's spokesperson for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said she had spoken to many families who were "scared" by how much their bills were rising. She's written to the county council to urge bosses to back her heating hubs plan.
She added: "I’ve been helping lots of constituents to access support as they struggle with the cost of living. Many of them are scared and wondering how they will cope in the winter when energy prices rise.
“We need action from the Government to stop the extortionate energy price rise. But while the Conservative ministers remain missing in action, councils can offer local solutions to help make sure that nobody has to choose between heating and eating.
“Community heating hubs are a simple and cheap way to support vulnerable people in need and they should be introduced in Shropshire and across the country.”
