New warnings from Asthma + Lung UK show how wet weather and the threat of higher energy bills are combining to put people with lung conditions at greater risk.
The charity says damp and mould can trigger asthma attacks, chest infections and hospital admissions, while 17% of people with lung conditions say they struggle to keep their home adequately warm.
That warning comes as evidence continues to mount about the health impact of poor housing. Separate figures reported in the Independent suggest that in 2024 there were just under 40,000 NHS hospital admissions where cold homes, damp, mould or poor housing conditions were recorded as contributing factors to serious respiratory and cardiovascular illness.
But there is also clear evidence that home upgrades can improve health. A recent case study in York highlighted how energy efficiency improvements helped an older resident end years of breathing difficulties and financial stress, stay warmer and feel better at home.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:
“For people with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions, a cold, damp home can be dangerous to their health.
“After one of the wettest winters on record, many households are already dealing with damp and mould. Now the oil and gas price crisis is raising the threat of higher bills, which could leave even more people cutting back on heating or unable to keep their homes dry and safe.
“Ministers need to act on two fronts at once. They must get the Warm Homes Plan moving for the coldest and dampest homes, and make sure emergency bill support is ready if this fossil fuel price crisis deepens. This includes targeting any financial support available at those who have long-term lung problems as one of the priority groups.
“No one should be made ill because they cannot afford to heat their home.”
Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP and clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, said:
“Even before events in the Middle East raised the spectre of higher energy bills, we were already concerned about the wet weather increasing damp and mould and affecting people’s health.
“For the seven million people in the UK living with asthma and the three million people living with COPD being exposed to a trigger like mould can bring on a potentially fatal asthma attack, or cause a COPD flare-up requiring hospitalisation.”