Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of encouraging (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable people to find a warm space when unable to travel due to weather conditions.

The Government published The Cold Weather Plan for England Protecting health and reducing harm from cold weather advising on steps individuals, including pensioners and other vulnerable populations, can take to stay safe and well during cold weather. Decisions on provision of warm spaces are taken at a local level. The local government financial settlement in England for 2022/2023 invested £3.7 billion to councils in England, the majority of which allowing councils to determine local priorities.

There is also guidance to help people make decisions on and plan for travel during bad weather published by the Meteorological Office.