Press release

24,000 excess winter deaths last year

29 November 2012

Commenting on the release today (Thursday 29 November) of official figures showing that last winter there were 24,000 excess winter deaths in England and Wales (the difference between the number of people who die in the winter compared to the rest of the year) Friends of the Earth Warm Homes campaigner Dave Timms said:

"It is a national disgrace that millions of our homes are so poorly insulated that people living in them struggle with their energy bills.

"Living in a cold home has a dreadful impact on our health - and tragically thousands of older people die every year as a result.

"The Government must take action to tackle this homemade humanitarian disaster by ensuring we all have warm and energy efficient homes which are cheaper to heat. This will cut fuel bills, save lives and help the UK meet its climate change goals.

"Rocketing gas prices have sent fuel bills soaring in recent years. George Osborne's cuts to energy efficiency programmes for the fuel poor and reckless dash for gas will hit the pockets of some of the most vulnerable in society."

Friends of the Earth supports the demonstration by fuel poverty protesters outside the Treasury this morning.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.     Excess winter deaths, revealed today, were highest in London and lowest in the North East of England. The World Health Organisation Europe (page 82) estimates that approximately 30 per cent of excess winter deaths can be attributed to cold indoor temperatures. Applied to today's figures this means that 7200 people have died due to cold housing during the winter months (Dec to March). Excess winter deaths in 2011/12 were slightly down from the previous winter (25,700).

2.     Evidence commissioned by Friends of the Earth from Prof Sir Michael Marmot at UCL show that not only do cold homes make ill and kill older people but they have serious impacts on the health and wellbeing of children and babies, please see here. 

·       More than 1 in 4 adolescents living in a cold house are at risk of multiple mental health problems, compared to 1 in 20 teens who've always lived in warm homes.

·       Cold, poorly heated homes have a significant impact on children's health, affecting infant's weight gain and development and increasing the frequency and severity of asthmatic symptoms.

·       Living in a cold home negatively affects children's educational achievement, emotional well-being and resilience, which can worsen their life chances and increase health inequalities.

·       Older people living in cold homes are at higher risk of death and illnesses like heart and respiratory disease.

·       Living in a cold home worsens existing conditions like arthritis and rheumatism and increases the risk of colds and flu.

3.     Friends of the Earth is a founder member of the Energy Bill Revolution campaign (www.energybillrevolution.org.uk) which is calling for the Government to use the future revenue it will receive from carbon tax and trading to boost spending on energy efficiency schemes for low-income and fuel poor households. It is estimated that the Treasury will receive on average £4bn annually on average from over the next 15 years. If this was re-invested in energy efficiency it could take 9 out of 10 households out of fuel poverty. The Energy Bill Revolution campaign is supported by over 100 organisations including childrens', health and consumer organisations.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust