Council will open up buildings this winter to provide shelter for people who can't afford to heat homes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian Council buildings will open to provide shelter from the cold for the most vulnerable this winter, as it declared a Cost of Living emergency.Labour and SNP councillors have agreed to call for the Holyrood and Westminster governments to uplift emergency funds and restore welfare benefits to help people cope.And the council is to hold a Cost of Living Crisis conference next week during Challenge Poverty Week.SNP Group leader Janet Campbell, said. “We are right now in the midst of the most severe crisis of our lifetimes.

Millions are being pushed into poverty by the action of the Westminster Tory Government. The viability of businesses is being threatened.”She described a “ toxic cocktail” of rising prices coming on the back of growing referrals to food banks, and added that government policies: “pose a danger not just to livelihoods but to people’s lives.”Labour councillor and depute council leader, Kirsteen Sullivan said: “The motion sets out the work that’s underway by community planning partners to come together to work collectively to deliver vital support for local people.

There’s already a plan mapped out for community facilities to provide warm shelter.”She added that the plan is to roll out community and advice sessions across the county so that people have as much access to information they need “before they reach crisis point.”The council’s Property Services team have identified 49 of 279 buildings which can be used as warm shelters including: partnership centres, community centres / village halls, sports centres and swimming pools,which are West Lothian Leisure operated, but WLC properties.Councillor Sullivan said: “Although we are talking about something generating such fear and concern, local