The NHS Confederation is talking about an “unprecedented” risk of death due to the cold in homes
Britain is facing a “humanitarian crisis” this winter when low-income households will have to make tough decisions due to sky-high energy prices, the UK has warned. NHS Confederation speaking of an “unprecedented” risk of death due to the cold in homes.
“The country is facing a humanitarian crisis“, said Matthew Taylorhead of Britain’s National Health System (NHS) Confederation, which represents health sector organisations.
“Many people will be forced to make a horrible choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and living in cold, damp and very uncomfortable conditions“, he added in his statement.
The condition can cause respiratory disease, mental illness and worsen children’s life prospects, Taylor added.
The emergence of these diseases will come “at a time when the NHS is likely to experience the most difficult winter in its history”, he complained.
As Taylor told BBC radio, “research shows that failing to heat our homes can cause an extra 10,000 deaths a year. This is what happens in a normal year. And we know that the pressure will be much greater on people and, if we don’t do something to help people cope with energy costs, unprecedented numbers of people will not be able to heat their homes».
Britain’s prime minister is resisting calls for more support for households to cope with sharply increased living costs, insisting he will leave big economic decisions to the next prime minister who takes office in early September.
A spokesman for Britain’s health department said the government was already supporting households with the £37bn cost-of-living package it announced in May and was also working to strengthen the national health system.
The average amount a household spends on energy – electricity and gas – is expected to double again by January 2023, to over £4,000, which will also worsen inflation which reached 10% in July.
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