{"id":7829,"date":"2022-11-06T10:35:20","date_gmt":"2022-11-06T10:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/?p=7829"},"modified":"2023-01-15T10:21:46","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T10:21:46","slug":"vulnerable-people-may-be-forced-to-use-manchester-central-library-as-a-warm-bank-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/vulnerable-people-may-be-forced-to-use-manchester-central-library-as-a-warm-bank-this-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Vulnerable people may be forced to use Manchester Central Library as a ‘warm bank’ this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manchester Central Library <\/a>may become a “warm bank” for those who cannot afford to heat their homes during the cost of living crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andy Burnham has confirmed that 306 “warm banks” will open across Greater Manchester following a meeting with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comes as part of Manchester City Council\u2019s \u00a38 million budget <\/a>to help tackle the raging cost of living crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many libraries across Greater Manchester are set to form part of the scheme, including the iconic Manchester Central Library.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Manchester Central Library\/\/ Image: Elena John<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

‘Even though charity is a great thing, it lets government off the hook’<\/p>Moe Gavin<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NQ asked members of the Greater Manchester public what they thought of the scheme:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Fox said: \u201cI think it\u2019s a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carl Trinder added: \u201cIt\u2019s good people have a place to go where there\u2019s no judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice local councils have reacted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moe Gavin said: \u201cI think it\u2019s shocking. It\u2019s good people are using those resources, but ultimately, it\u2019s shocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCharities and local councils are picking up the slack, but where does that leave government? Even though charity is a great thing, it lets government off the hook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey [government] should be ashamed of themselves\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controversial move<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Foodbanks have been an important source of charity across Greater Manchester for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester Central Foodbank<\/a> has confirmed that 4,014 three-day food emergency packs were distributed over the past year, a figure only expected to rise during the current cost of living crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, “warm banks” are a brand-new and more controversial concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With winter fast approaching, there is currently no clear plan for how the proposed “warm bank” scheme will operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The central library closes its doors each weekday evening at 8pm, closing even earlier at 5pm Friday and Saturday and closed on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This suggests vulnerable people using “warm banks” may be left without heating during the coldest hours of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our 10 councils have plans to open 306 \u201cwarm banks\u201d across GM – despite facing a new round of cuts.

That\u2019s real leadership in a crisis.

When will we see the same from the Government?

2\/5<\/p>— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) October 29, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>