The Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) are triggered when there’s a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures.
Local authorities will contact rough sleepers and work to ensure they have a warm place to sleep.
The SWEP responds to frosty conditions that have swept across the country, prompting weather warnings and travel disruptions.
Many parts of the UK will see several inches of snow, with temperatures falling as low as -5°C in some places this week.
The SWEP will likely remain in place for several days, with the UK’s arctic blast expected to continue through to the weekend.
What is the cold weather protocol?
Cold weather protocol or severe emergency weather protocol is an emergency response to prevent the deaths of people who sleep rough during winter.
SWEP is activated by local authorities across the country when temperatures are forecast to be lower than zero degrees for three nights, or in London for one night, according to Eden.gov.
During periods of extreme cold, housing authorities must provide facilities for rough sleepers to prevent people dying from exposure.
The Government must provide bed-and-breakfast-type accommodation for rough sleepers or other temporary accommodation.
Rough sleepers can stay there either until the severe weather ends or they have found other suitable accommodation, whichever is the sooner.
- People sleeping in the open air.
- People about to bed down (sitting on/in or standing next to their bedding) in the open air.
- People actually bedded down (such as on the streets, in tents, doorways, parks, bus shelters or encampments).
- People in buildings or other places not designed for habitation (such as sheds, cars, stairwells, barns, car parks, derelict boats and so on).
On Wednesday, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “With temperatures dropping below zero across London, I have activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) 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.
“Londoners can ensure anyone they see sleeping rough gets the help they need by contacting StreetLink.”