Energy firms criticised following steep rise in winter deaths

The big six energy companies have been criticised in the wake of statistics, showing a 29 per cent rise in the number of deaths last winter, compared to the year before.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show there were 31,100 excess winter deaths last year from cold-related illness such as heart attacks and strokes – up more than a quarter on the previous year.

The vast majority of these deaths were among older people, with 28,500 in the over 65 age group – a 29 per cent rise on the year before.

There was an increase of 29 per cent in the 75+ age bracket (up from 19,890 to 25,600), and a 28 per cent increase in number of deaths among the over 85s (up from 13,160 to 16,900).

March 2013 was officially the coldest month since 1962, with an average temperature of 2.6°C.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, called it a “cause of national shame that last year’s cold weather claimed so many lives unnecessarily”.

She said: “Excess winter deaths are preventable and today’s figures are a damning indictment of our failure to address the scandal of cold homes in this country.

“Cold homes are caused by a number of factors including poor insulation and high energy costs, and are a major cause of excess winter deaths. In fact those living in the coldest homes are three times more likely to die a preventable death than those living in warmer ones.

“We strongly believe that the only sustainable solution is investment to increase the energy efficiency of our housing stock so cold homes become a thing of the past.”

Age UK has called on the Chancellor to take urgent action on this in next week’s Autumn Statement.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, called it “shocking news” and said the figures “yet again demonstrate the impact on consumers of the high cost of energy today”.

She added: “Shocking as they are though, these figures are the tip of an iceberg. Last winter almost seven in ten (69 per cent) households went without heating at some point to keep energy costs down – over a third (35 per cent) said that it had affected their quality of life or health. This winter almost 83 per cent will be rationing their energy use to save on bills.

“The fact is that there are millions of consumers suffering a low quality of life, poor health and misery because affordability is no longer at the heart of energy policy. This needs to be addressed urgently if we are not to see excess winter deaths spiral further.”

The big six energy companies – N-Power, EDF, E.On, Scottish Power (owned by Iberdrola), British Gas (owned by Centrica), and Scottish and Southern Electric – run over 97 per cent of the UK’s domestic energy system.

Collectively the big six have doubled prices since 2004, according to Fuel Poverty Action.

Age UK is urging people to ‘Tell your MP we need warm homes’. Anyone who wants to add their voice to Age UK’s campaign can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk

Age UK is part of the Energy Bill Revolution, an alliance with over one hundred members, including Age UK, campaigning for warm homes and lower bills.

For further information, visit www.energybillrevolution.org.