Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help support vulnerable people to meet Public Health England's recommended minimum home temperatures.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has produced public-facing guidance on Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather which sets out who might be more vulnerable to cold weather and why, advice on how to keep homes warm, links to energy saving tips, energy efficiency measures, Government support available for those on low incomes, and links to further information from the Met Office, Age UK, and NHS England.
UKHSA has also produced guidance for those caring for and working with the most vulnerable during cold periods, including for adult social care managers and healthcare professionals. Action cards are available for commissioners, health and social care providers, and the voluntary and community sector.
UKHSA also holds winter preparedness webinars to support partners to assess risks to their most vulnerable residents and put measures in place to support them ahead of cold periods.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Public Health England's recommended minimum home temperatures for vulnerable people.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA’s) Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) brings together guidance and key actions for local and national partners to prepare, build, and respond to adverse weather events, including cold periods. It includes guidance for keeping homes warm in cold weather, and links to the UKHSA’s Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather guidance which recommends keeping commonly used rooms at a minimum of 18 degrees.
The plan is regularly reviewed based on the latest evidence, our experience in implementing the plan, feedback from users of the plan, and the recommendations of the AWHP reports.