Govt urged to increase winter fuel allowance
29 November 2011 15:55:35
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| Campaign groups are concerned that many people cannot afford heating. |
These show the difference between the number of deaths that occurred from December to March and the average number of deaths that would ordinarily be expected during that period of time.
England and Wales recorded a slight drop in the number of deaths linked to cold weather in winter 2010-11, with approximately 25,700 people losing their lives.
London recorded a 1% increase in excess winter deaths, while Wales experienced a 2.7% rise.
The majority of deaths were linked to circulatory and respiratory diseases and campaign groups have called for more to be done to prevent avoidable deaths.
A spokesman for the National Pensioners Convention warned that figures could rise again this winter.
He said: "Pensioners are going to have to deal with a cut in winter fuel allowance, which they didn't have before, and rising bills.
"People need the confidence to put the heating on when they need it, we don't want them to think twice."
Mark Todd, director of Energyhelpline.com, revealed that the service receives dozens of calls each week from people who cannot afford their gas and electric bills.
"The government must reinstate the cut to the winter fuel allowance that means the over-80s lose £100 and the under-80s £50," he said.
"We would also urge people to contact price comparison websites, either online or on the phone, to see the big savings of up to £300 they could make by switching suppliers."
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