London Councils has highlighted concerns that increasingly severe weather caused by climate change could make rough sleeping in the capital even more dangerous and increase pressures on the capital's homelessness support services.

Since 2018 all London boroughs have signed up to a severe weather emergency protocal (SWEP). The protocol means that when below zero temperatures are forecast, London boroughs and the Mayor of London – working with homelessness charities – open additional emergency accommodation for people who are sleeping rough during weather conditions that could pose a threat to life.

SWEP was activated six times during winter 2022/23 with around 2,000 placements made at short notice to help rough sleepers off the streets.

With climate change likely to drive increasing incidents of severe weather, a serious shortage of suitable accommodation in the capital and no specific funding from the government for SWEP activity, boroughs fear that the capital's homelessness support services face a 'perfect storm'.

London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, Cllr Darren Rodwell, said: "Boroughs are proud of the role we play alongside our partners in keeping rough sleepers safe. In the face of increasingly severe weather, this work genuinely saves lives.

“This winter was extremely challenging but climate change means we must prepare for these pressures to become ‘business as usual’. It is more important than ever to make sure frontline services have the resources they need, especially if we are to help rough sleepers brought inside during severe weather to stay off the streets for good."

You can read London Councils' SWEP briefing in full here.

London Councils and the GLA have been working with a network of London-based voluntary groups to support the London's Lifelines campaign to shine a light on volunteering in London and the vital role it plays in powering and sustaining our communities.

London Lifelines' new video (below) highlighting the range and value of volunteering across the capital has been launched to coincide with the start of the Big Help
Out.

Congratulations to all the London boroughs shortlisted in this year's LGC Awards. Boroughs shortlisted this year (category in brackets) include: (Campaign of the Year): Barnet, Lewisham and Southwark (Children’s Services): Islington, Merton, Southwark and Sutton (Community Involvement): Hackney and Newham (Digital Impact): Brent, Sutton and South London Partnership (Diversity and Inclusion): Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Islington and Waltham Forest (Economic Support): Hammersmith & Fulham, Lambeth and Lewisham (Future Places): Barnet, Hammersmith & Fulham and Lambeth (Housing): Greenwich and Westminster (Innovation): Enfield, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and London Innovation & Improvement Alliance working on behalf of Association of London Directors of Children's Services (Large Team of the Year): Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Waltham Forest and Westminster (Most Improved Council): Lewisham (Outstanding individual contribution): Tracey Wilson, Bromley; Nicola McLean, Lambeth; Zahur Khan, Lewisham (now with Brent); Jane McSherry, Merton (Public Health): Barnet and Newham (Public/Private Partnership): Greenwich and Hackney (Public/Public Partnership) Enfield (Small Team of the Year): Southwark (Technology): Westminster.

Complete shortlist here. The winners will be announced on Thursday 8 June at Grosvenor House, London