Figures released a few days ago by the Office Of National Statistics showed that winter deaths this year rose by a staggering 50% versus last year. This is the highest reported for a decade. Naturally we want to know why. The death toll has refueled the case for MP’s to do something about high energy prices, so could it be down to high energy bills and a rise in fuel poverty?
With 10,000 additional pensioner deaths this year, the figures tell a chilling story. The data was collected from December 2008 to February 2009. In their findings, the Office Of National Statistics said that flu during this period was moderate, however the temperatures were the lowest reported since 2005. Notably, this was also when energy suppliers increased their gas and electricity prices by a massive 40%.
The number of households in ‘fuel poverty’ or otherwise spending 10% or more of their income on heating and powering their homes has also risen dramatically to over 6.5 million this year. And since the UK already has the worst record for winter fatalities versus its European counterparts, including those with cooler climates, this is catastrophic news.
Age Concern, the UK’s largest charity working for older people, has expressed that unless something is done to make heating more affordable, there will be an even higher pensioner death toll this winter because of rising fuel poverty.
To support their view, their recent poll showed that this winter, four in ten pensioners will not be able to afford to turn their gas or electricity on when they want.
There is much hype in the media about rising energy prices, and national campaigns like The Independent’s ‘Great Energy Rip-off’ are even calling for a 10% cut in prices, and harsher penalties for energy suppliers who refuse to pass on wholesale price savings to their customers. It therefore seems that energy prices are fully accountable.
Not necessarily, according to the Department Of Health. They said that ‘The causes of excess winter deaths are very complex…’ So what is being done to improve the situation?
The government is helping by providing extra financial help to the elderly according to the Minister For Pensions, who said winter payments have been increased by up to £100 per household.
It’s also working with our energy suppliers and local authorities, who are providing vulnerable households with free or heavily discounted home energy efficiency improvements like insulation. These measures are part of its Warm Front Scheme, and help to retain heat in homes, and reduce carbon emissions. This scheme is welcomed by many as the best solution for tackling this issue, because it will help many households out of fuel poverty.
Despite being heavily criticized by consumer groups like Which? and Consumer Focus, for profiteering while households remain on high energy tariffs, energy suppliers maintain that they are helping their customers to reduce their bills.
Energy UK who represent energy suppliers said ‘…energy suppliers spent £157million between 2008/09 to help people struggling with their bills.’
All suppliers including E.ON, British Gas and Npower have energy efficiency initiatives and offers which help customers improve their energy usage, and save money on their bills.
If you are concerned about the issues raised in this article, related information can be found on the following websites:
- Keepwarmkeepwell.direct.gov.uk : Tips on how to keep warm this winter.
- Governmentheatinggrants.co.uk : Find out if you qualify for financial assistance.
- Energysavingtrust.org.uk : See how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and cut your fuel bills.
- Britishgas.co.uk/EnergySmart : Take control of your gas and electricity usage and save money on your bills.
- Uswitch.com : Determine whether you are on the best energy tariff.
Sources
www.statistics.gov.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-the-chilling-price-of-the-great-energy-ripoff-1826863.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/11/25/energy-price-fury-on-cold-snap-deaths-115875-21848303/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1230650/Fuel-firms-facing-criticism-number-winter-deaths-reaches-highest-level-decade.html
