More than half of councils are planning ‘warm spaces’ where people can shelter from the cold this winter amid soaring energy costs, new research suggests.

A survey by charity Save the Children found that out of 355 councils in England and Wales, at least 194 are directly involved in, or supporting local groups to open, warm spaces designed to take financial pressures off local residents and vulnerable groups.More councils are expected to confirm local initiatives. Town halls have spent thousands of pounds on grants to fund initiatives.