Nearly 8000 people die in the winter because they cannot afford to heat their homes. 65 a day. These are the World Health Organisation’s guidance and official excess winter death figures.
The previous governments estimate put the total of deaths relating to fuel poverty at just 2,700 a year.
So who is right? Either way, we can hardly call ourselves a developed country when some people are too poor to heat their homes.
Figures published have warned that there will by 9.1m households living in fuel poverty by 2016 – the year the government has pledged to end the problem. Let us see if they do something about it.
Personally, I won’t be holding my breath on it.
What are your views?