A decision to deactivate London's emergency cold weather plan for rough sleepers, as an arctic blast sent temperatures plunging to -9°C across the UK, has been branded 'life-threatening' by outreach charities. The move means there is no automatic obligation to shelter those living on the streets in the capital on Monday, 6th January 2026.
Protocol Deactivated Amid Snowfall
Despite widespread snowfall and icy conditions, the Mayor of London's office issued a notice deactivating the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). The pan-London protocol is triggered when temperatures are forecast to hit 0°C or below. Officials stated that as temperatures in London were expected to remain above freezing overnight, the scheme would not be activated.
This leaves the provision of emergency shelter to the discretion of individual boroughs, creating what critics call a 'postcode lottery' for survival. The decision came on the same day the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold health alert for England, with weather warnings for snow and ice covering much of the country.
Charities Issue Stark Warning
The charity Streets Kitchen, which conducts outreach work in freezing conditions, condemned the move in strong terms. A spokesperson told Metro: 'As snow falls in London, the decision to deactivate SWEP is not just disappointing—it is life-threatening.'
They highlighted that cold weather acts as a silent killer for those sleeping rough, worsening existing health problems and trauma. The group is calling for a statutory legal obligation to protect people from extreme weather, arguing that reliance on discretionary humanitarian aid is insufficient. 'Humanitarianism is the starting point, but only legislation will guarantee safety for all,' they stated.
Official Response and Ongoing Cold Spell
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London defended the action, emphasising that support for rough sleepers continues year-round. 'City Hall’s Rough Sleeping team are continuing to monitor temperatures closely this week and working around the clock with community and voluntary organisations across London,' they said.
They encouraged local authorities to assess their own needs, noting many provide emergency care outside the London-wide SWEP framework. Meanwhile, the Met Office warns the cold spell is set to persist. Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said: 'It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of "winter"... Arctic air and strong northerly winds will bring cold or very cold conditions to all parts of the UK.' He advised the public to expect severe frosts, snow, and icy conditions lasting at least through the first week of January 2026.
