LAST year in England, there were 23,400 more deaths in winter than in summer (in the winter of 1999-2000, 92 excess winter deaths occurred in the city of York area). Most were due to cold-related illnesses brought on or exacerbated by living in cold homes.
Fuel poverty experts estimate there are 8,000 deaths for every degree temperatures drop below average during a British winter.
People who can't heat their homes adequately should investigate Warm Front, the Government-backed energy efficiency grant available to eligible households on low incomes.
Following on from our annual winter awareness campaign, the National Energy Action/British Gas Warm Homes Week, we are urging anyone worried about cold homes and high fuel bills to call Warm Front on Freephone 0800 952 0600.
William Gillis,
Chief executive,
National Energy Action,
Pilgrim Street, Newcastle.
Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, December 18, 2001
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