Public Health England has published the Cold Weather Plan for England for 2013. The plan aims to prevent avoidable harm to health, by alerting people to the negative health effects of cold weather, and enabling them to prepare and respond appropriately.

The Plan, developed in partnership with NHS England, the Local Government Association and the Met Office, sets out a series of actions to be taken by the NHS, social care and other agencies throughout the year, and in response to forecast or actual severe winter weather.

To support the Cold Weather Plan, the Met Office will issue Cold Weather Alerts from 1 November to 31 March.

• Cold Weather Plan