Sadiq Khan activates severe weather plan for first time this winter to protect homeless Londoners

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in London to protect homeless people as temperatures are forecast to fall below 0°C tonight.  

This is the first SWEP activation of the winter and will see charities and councils all over London open emergency accommodation for those who need it most when temperatures drop below freezing.

According to City Hall figures, SWEP was active for 28 nights last winter. During these periods 1,350 people were helped off the streets.

Figures released by the government earlier this year showed rough sleeping has increased in every region of England year-on-year, with the biggest rise in London (34%).

In total during the period July-September 2023 outreach teams recorded 4068 individuals sleeping rough in the capital. This is a 12%  increase on the total figure for July-September 2022.

Mayor Khan said:  “As winter approaches, Londoners once again stand ready to help the most vulnerable in our society. With temperatures dropping below zero across the capital I’ve activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol to make sure anyone seen sleeping rough in these freezing conditions is offered a place in emergency accommodation and the support to move on to the safe, secure accommodation they need.

 “For many Londoners struggling to pay soaring rents and a cost-of-living-crisis, this winter will feel longer and colder than ever. We know that these factors are forcing more people onto the streets. It is imperative that ministers stop turning a blind eye to this crisis and start taking action to ensure people can afford to stay in their homes.”

In the capital, the Met Office forecasts a maximum temperature of 5C on Wednesday with temperatures dropping to -2C tonight.

The Met Office says there will be clear skies overnight which means it will be turning very cold with a widespread sharp frost, and some icy stretches possible. Mist and freezing fog patches are possible too.