Homeless in London Vulnerable as UK Faces Drop in Temperatures

A homeless man sleeping in the doorway of a closed down branch of the Leeds Building Society on Kingsway, Holborn, London, on Jan. 28, 2020. Victoria Jones/PA Media

Emergency protocols are being put into place across the UK following a warning from the Met Office that the country is set to see temperatures fall from Wednesday night. According to forecasters, the UK could see temperatures drop as low as minus 10 degrees C as arctic weather moves in.

Whilst low temperatures are not unusual in December, the forecast has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue its own warning advising people to stay warm and look out for those at risk from the cold temperatures.

Dr. Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said that “cold weather can have serious consequences for health,” and that homes should be heated to around 18 degrees C, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Despite the recommendations from the UKHSA, there are some fears that people may be reluctant to put on heating owing to the rising cost of energy.

UK December temperatures. PA Graphic

Meanwhile, local authorities across the country are stepping up operations as concerns grow for the wellbeing of the homeless during the cold weather.

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that too many people face sleeping on the streets without safe accommodation. According to the latest data, the capital has seen a 24 percent jump in people sleeping rough, to around 3,600. Khan said that “across the capital, we are doing everything we can to prevent anyone sleeping rough,” and that “London’s councils and charities will be working even harder this week to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city.”

London councils will also be following the mayor’s “In For Good” principle. The initiative states that no one will be asked to leave accommodation until a support plan has been initiated to end their rough sleeping, no matter what the temperature.

Help From Charities

Homeless charities throughout the country are offering support to those without safe accommodation.

Hannah Faulkner, head of Rough Sleeping Services at the charity St. Mungo’s warned that “freezing temperatures can pose a risk to life” and that it was essential that people are aware that support is available.

Faulkner said: “St. Mungo’s is here with our outreach team working throughout the year to provide support to those who are sleeping rough. When the severe weather response is activated during periods of extreme weather, our team works around the clock to ensure that people are brought into the safe and warm.”

The sun rises over a foggy Worcestershire as seen from the Malvern Hills, in Herefordshire, England, on Dec. 7, 2022. Jacob King/PA Media

Elsewhere, Polly Neate, chief executive of the charity Shelter, warned that people were putting “their lives at risk” and that a “freezing doorway or a flimsy tent” were no substitutes for a home.

Neate said, “If you want to help someone you see on the streets, and feel comfortable stopping to have a chat, you can ask them what might be helpful—whether that’s a hot drink, food, or help to call Shelter’s free emergency helpline.”

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin said the UK “can expect to see further snow and wintry showers as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground.” Looking into next week the Met Office says temperatures are expected to remain well below the average for the time of year.