Uswitch comments on excess winter deaths
Commenting on today’s news of a 29% year-on-year increase in excess winter deaths, Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at Uswitch.com, says: “This is shocking news and yet again demonstrates the impact on consumers of the high cost of energy today.
“Shocking as they are though, these figures could be the tip of an iceberg. Last winter almost seven in ten (69%) households went without heating at some point to keep energy costs down – over a third (35%) said that it had affected their quality of life or health. This winter almost 83% will be rationing their energy use to save on bills.
“The fact is that there are millions of consumers suffering a low quality of life, poor health and misery because affordability is no longer at the heart of energy policy. This needs to be addressed urgently if we are not to see excess winter deaths spiral further.”
Notes to editors
Research conducted with the Uswitch.com Opinion Panel amongst 2,099 respondents in January 2013. In response to: ‘Have you gone without heating this winter to keep energy costs down?’ 31.2% said never, 50.6% said occasionally, 16.5% said regularly and 1.7% said always. This adds up to 68.8% who went without heating at some point. In response to: ‘Do you think you’re achieving the right balance this winter between keeping your home warm and managing costs?’ 34.9% said ‘No – the cut backs I’m making are affecting my quality of life and/or health’.
Research conducted with the Uswitch.com Consumer Opinion Panel in September 2013 amongst 1,250 adults with bill paying responsibility for their household energy. In response to: ‘Are you planning to cut back on the amount of energy you use this winter to make your bills cheaper?’ 51.3% said ‘I am already doing this’ and 31.2% said ‘Yes, I am planning to’. This adds up to 82.5%.
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