Greater Manchester council plans 'warm banks' in libraries to help struggling residents survive the winter

A Greater Manchester council has said libraries will be available for residents to keep warm this winter as the cost-of-living crisis bites. It comes after concerns were raised by the money saving expert Martin Lewis about the prospect that 'warm banks' may need to be used. Warm banks are spaces where people who can't afford to heat their home can go to stay warm.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) has announced that some of its public buildings, such as libraries and other council buildings, could be used as “warm and welcome places” amid fears vulnerable people could freeze to death this winter. Rising fuel and energy prices with rocketing inflation are driving more and more people to food banks and other support areas, but this is only set to get worse.

The energy cap rose to almost £2,000 in April this year, but it was announced just the month after by UK energy regulator Ofgem that this cap could reach £2,800 by October, pushing more families into hardship at the start of winter. Councils are now coming up with plans to help their struggling residents, with 'warm banks' being one of the measures discussed.

READ MORE:Cost of living crisis deepens north-south divide - with Mancunians left £130 worse off

Writing on Twitter, Martin Lewis, said: "Can't believe I'm writing this, but I wonder if this winter well need 'warm banks' the equivalent of 'food banks' where people who can't afford heating are invited to spend their days at no cost with heating (eg libraries, public buildings)?"

'Warm banks' were confirmed by LCC at a full council meeting earlier this week, but councils in Greater Manchester have been quieter on the plans. The Manchester Evening News contacted all 10 boroughs of the city-region to ask if 'warm banks'