Figures show that 29% of adults are unable to keep their home at the recommended minimum temperature of 18°C, the level advised by World Health Organisation experts to reduce the risk of illness.
Reports in the Express reveal that among those affected are around 3.2m (23%) older people (aged 65+) who say they struggle to keep their home warm enough.
As energy bills remain 69% higher than in winter 2020, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition polling from Opinium shows that the problem is particularly acute among households on incomes below £40,000 and people living with long-term health conditions, including lung conditions and physical disabilities.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“It’s shocking that after years of warnings, so many people are still stuck in homes that put their health at risk. No one should be facing winter worried about whether their home is warm enough.
“We urgently need to see further action to bring down the cost of energy in the new year, especially on electricity which is homegrown and should be much cheaper than it currently is.
“One sign of hope is that we know that households are taking action to look at how they can make their homes more energy efficient, but they need help to do this. Every week of delay to the Government’s much promised Warm Homes Plan means households are stuck in cold, damp homes for longer.”
Charlotte Higgins is retired and lives in Solihull in the West Midlands and had energy-saving measures fitted by the Solihull Household Support Fund. She said: “The loft insulation has been done, and I’ve had solar panels on the front and the back. It’s made a difference to my heating, and my bills are a lot cheaper.”
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioners Convention said: “With energy bills hundreds of pounds a year higher than they were in 2020, there is a real danger of older people falling ill through living in cold, damp homes.
“Whilst some older people receive the winter fuel payment, others do not. Some receive the warm homes discount on their bill, others do not. Even with this small income, it is hard to keep a house warm in really cold, wintry weather.
“The cost of energy has another cost – that of overflowing A&E departments, wards and GP surgeries. Not being able to heat your home does not just mean you are susceptible to colds and flu but also to respiratory conditions, heart disease, arthritis and other health conditions that demand individuals keep warm.
“We need to ensure that everything is being done to insulate homes, find alternative and sustainable sources of energy.”