The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has issued the year’s first Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) as temperatures in the capital have plummeted to below freezing in the first few days of 2025.
Weather forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for the weekend, stating that, along with freezing temperatures, snow will likely fall across most of England, Wales and parts of Scotland between Saturday and Monday.
Keep reading to learn more about what the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol entails, who it is designed to help and how you can get involved.
What is the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)?
The protocol is a locally agreed emergency response to extreme weather, aimed at helping protect vulnerable people who may be sleeping rough.
Emergency accommodation is available throughout the winter months; however, SWEP is a temporary initiative enacted when periods of severe weather pose a threat to the health and lives of homeless people. The protocol is activated when temperatures fall to 0°C.
What does it mean for homeless people?
The measures ensure extra emergency accommodation is available for people who may be sleeping rough during periods of severe weather. The mayor, London councils and homeless charities work together to ensure accommodation is open across the city, as there is currently no legal requirement for local authorities to provide shelter during extreme weather conditions.
According to the mayor’s office, SWEP has been activated for three nights this winter and in the winter of 2023/24, was active for 16 nights.
“With temperatures dropping below zero across London, I have activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol in partnership with London councils for the first time in 2025 to ensure anyone seen sleeping rough in freezing conditions is offered emergency accommodation and support to stay off the streets for good,” Mr Khan said.
“Londoners can ensure anyone they see sleeping rough gets the help they need by contacting StreetLink.”
How you can help
As the mayor mentions, if you see someone sleeping rough you can make a referral via StreetLink. The service sends an alert to local outreach teams, who take to the streets at nighttime to connect people who are or who are preparing to sleep rough with local support services. You can make a referral via their website, or by calling them on 0300 500 0914.
If you spot a homeless person in a medical emergency, always ensure you call 999.
Other ways to help include volunteering at homeless shelters and donating food and clothing to homeless charities and food banks, as demand during colder weather conditions can be higher.
