MP pushes for more support for warm spaces

Proposals for warm spaces in Stockport this winter have been given a boost by local MP Lisa Smart, who has submitted a motion to Parliament supporting the approach, and has questioned ministers to get more funding for the schemes.

The Council is providing £30,000 in funding towards additional spaces, as well as making sure there is provision in public buildings such as libraries across the borough. 

Lisa Smart, the MP for Hazel Grove constituency, said: “Energy prices are still going up – not down as promised. These spaces will be a lifeline this winter.

“It’s great that Stockport Council is taking this approach, but it needs to be supported and applied consistently across the country.”

As well as creating ward spaces this winter, the Council are also looking at using a similar scheme in midsummer to combat soaring temperatures – in 2025, there were an estimated 600 excess deaths in the UK in 2025 during one heatwave, and the Centre for Ageing Better estimated figures across the year to be as high as 5,000. 

Lisa continued: “Making these public spaces resilient and available all year round is critical to make sure that vulnerable people – often without the resources to make changes in their own homes, have somewhere to go when the weather is at each extreme. 

“This needs to be something that the Government have a long-term plan for.”