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Better housing and bigger Winter Fuel Payment are needed‚ says Age Concern

Just over eight older people in Britain died every hour last winter. More than 150‚000 over 65s have died during the winters of past six years – more than any other age group – figures released today show.

Nearly 90 per cent of all excess winter deaths are of people over the age of 65. Older people are particularly at risk of dying during the winter as they are often less resilient to cold-related illnesses‚ especially people with existing health problems.

It is essential not to get cold‚ but keeping warm at home can be difficult for many over 60s as they are more likely to live in sub-standard or energy inefficient homes‚ and are more likely to be living in fuel poverty than other people in Britain.

Gordon Lishman‚ Age Concern’s Director General‚ said:
“It is a national scandal that so many people over 65 are put at risk every winter. More needs to be done for older people during the winter months so that they can heat their homes adequately without worrying about the cost.

“The Government must ensure that decent housing‚ energy efficiency measures and a higher basic state pension are in place to help older people stay warm. It must also act to ease the burden of rising energy bills by upping the Winter Fuel Payment by £100.

“Older people need to take extra care when it is cold. We urge older people to make sure that their home is heated properly and to get the flu jab this winter. Dressing well‚ eating well‚ and keeping active can help you to keep warm throughout the day.”  

Older people can contact their local Age Concern to check they are receiving all the money benefits they are entitled to. Boosting their income could mean they are more able to afford their heating bills.

Some Age Concern’s will also offer extra help to older people when it gets cold. Local services are tailored to the needs of older people living in the area. The support offered could range from emergency packs to keep older people warm in very cold weather to a weekly lunch club where an older person can get a hot meal to help them to keep warm.

For further winter information please call the Age Concern Information line on 0800 00 99 66. A free fact sheet about Helping with Heating from Age Concern is available from our website. 

For health queries please contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk  

Notes for editors

• Figures are taken from the Office of National Statistics excess winter deaths
• Winter is defined as December to March
• The number of older people dying per hour was calculated as follows: 24‚650 people over 65 died in 2005/2006. The number of days in December to March is 121. Days X 24 hours = 2‚904 hours. 24‚650 deaths ÷ 2904 hours = 8.49 per hour.
• Age Concern has an ISDN line for interviews

FACT FILE:

Winter deaths

• Shamefully‚ Britain has one of the highest rates of excess winter deaths in Europe
• Overall‚ excess winter deaths are from heart attacks‚ strokes‚ bronchial and other conditions‚ and often occur several days after exposure to the cold. Older people with existing health problems are more at risk. Those with respiratory or cardiovascular ailments are particularly vulnerable.

Decent homes

• Older people living in a ‘non-decent’ home are most likely to be over 75‚ on a low income and from a minority ethnic community
• Almost one in three over 60s live in housing that fails the Government’s decent homes standard and one in 10 over 60s live in energy-inefficient homes‚ making their homes more difficult to heat and/or keep warm.  
• 2.2million homes that fail the Government’s ‘decent house’ standard are occupied by someone over 60
• A Warm Front grant of £2‚700 (or £4‚000 if oil central heating has been recommended) can provide a package of insulation and heating tailored to each property. 

Fuel Poverty

• The widely accepted definition of fuel poverty is where a household needs to spend 10 per cent or more of income to meet fuel costs.
• Older people experiencing fuel poverty are most likely to be over 75‚ on a low income - particularly means-tested benefits - and living alone.
• Around 600‚000 households with someone aged 60+ are affected by fuel poverty.   More than one in five (22%) of those over 70 and eligible for pension credit are living in fuel poverty compared with only three in 50 people (6%) in the population as a whole.

Winter Fuel Payment

• Average annual energy bills which are now almost £1‚000 will absorb 16 per cent of the income of a single pensioner dependent on the pension credit minimum guarantee and the £200 Winter Fuel Payment.
• The Winter Fuel Payment was received by over 11.6 million over 60s last year.
• The Government’s Winter Fuel Payment Helpline (08459 15 15 15 or 0845 601 5613 for textphone users) is open 8.30am - 4.30pm‚ Monday to Friday.

More detailed facts are available in Age Concern’s Winter Briefing. Please contact Zena Ambrose for more information on 020 8765 7513.

For general enquiries please contact us.

Journalists contact:

Age Concern England
Zena Ambrose/Sam Heath
Telephone:
020 8765 7513/7512
Out of hours:
07071 243 243