The number of people who died due to cold homes, classed as excess winter deaths is truly appalling.
Fuel poverty campaigners told a parliamentary committee that despite a fairly mild weather, the number of excess winter deaths had climbed to 4,706, up from 3,186 a year earlier, reports The Guardian.
Excess winter deaths
They put it down to the energy cost crisis.
National Energy Action: “Whether they like it or not, the Government is going to have to come up with a package of financial support for energy bills for the most vulnerable this year.
“The level of energy debt is so extreme now, and it is destroying lives, that we have to have a mechanism, a help to repay scheme, that helps people to accelerate their way out of energy debt.”
Energy debt
Political Correspondent at The Mirror Ashley Cowburn messaged on X: “MPs told this morning: – Almost 5,000 excess winter deaths last year caused by people living in cold damp homes – Energy debt is “destroying lives” and government package of financial support urgently needed – Increase in ‘dangeous coping mechanisms’ among those in extreme debt.”
Prepay meters
These figures comes as energy suppliers are now banned from force-fitting prepayment meters for elderly people and those with infant children
The decision comes in wake of the scandal over companies’ treatment of vulnerable customers.
Neil Kenward, the director for strategy at Ofgem, said: “Today’s enhanced rules are there to provide protection from bad practice while ensuring that, when needed, and as a matter of last resort, suppliers are using involuntary installations in a fair and responsible way.
“Ofgem will be monitoring suppliers’ behaviour closely to ensure they are complying with the spirit and letter of these rules. If that is not the case we will not hesitate to take action.”
Related: Winter home maintenance: What you have to do to ensure a warm festive season
