Warm banks opened in the UK to combat the high cost of living in winter
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London: The growing cost of living in the winter season has been plaguing the UK. People are now turning to warm banks as heating their homes is a struggle.
Community warm banks are providing people with a safe place to escape from the cold when they cannot afford the energy to heat homes. Charitable organisations and community groups across the country are behind the initiative. Over 50% of the councils in England and Wales are involved in warm banks, reported The Independent.
The official website of the Warm Welcome Campaign says there are over 3,000 banks at the moment. An online map helps people find the nearest one. These establishments are free to enter. They also provide basic refreshments.
Europe is reeling under the energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The European Union is also imposing price caps. Local councils have been planning to use public buildings like theatres, museums, cathedrals, libraries, fire stations, and cafes to keep people warm since the British electricity and gas industry regulator Ofgem announced that the price of energy will rise.
According to YouGov's data, only 18% of the UK's population said they have the heating on for as hot as they like and as long as they like. The country imports 50% of its gas from other countries and a third of its electricity is generated from gas. It is the worst affected country in Western Europe.
An analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation says 4.3 million households are controlling their finances by spending less on heating and living in warm banks. Volunteers are also helping people with food items, clothes, and other essential items. People are also welcome to use the building's electricity to charge their phones, reported The Guardian.
David Barclay, manager of the Warm Welcome campaign, said that it is unacceptable that people are being forced to decide whether they should heat their homes or eat. Several organisations in the UK have pointed out that thousands of low-income families are at low risk during the extremely low temperatures of the winter. Average energy bills are twice as high as they were this time last year.