The Office of National Statistics has today published figures revealing there were 43,900 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2014/15, the highest number since 1999/00. Commenting on the data, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “These are truly shocking figures, especially as a significant proportion will be due to the impact of cold homes and exorbitant energy bills. It’s totally unacceptable that people should feel forced to choose between their health and being able to afford energy.
“Our own figures show that last winter over six million households regularly went without heating to keep down energy costs, with over a third of consumers admitting that their health was directly affected as a result.
“Wholesale energy costs continue to be at record lows, yet not enough is being done by energy companies to pass on the savings and make a real difference to those in desperate need. Today’s figures are also a wakeup call for Government, suppliers, Ofgem and others to do more to help people make their homes more energy efficient.”
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
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Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
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