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Public health |
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Rising fuel bills ‘an avoidable public health catastrophe’ |
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The NHS Confederation has warned that rising energy bills, low and falling incomes and energy inefficient homes may spark a public health emergency. Latest estimates say that energy bills could reach £4,200 per year from January next year, pushing two thirds of households into ‘fuel poverty’. Without action, the Confed says this will lead to a surge in respiratory conditions, poorer health for people with long-term conditions, and deteriorating mental health. It says “support must be targeted at those least able to heat their homes” through an increase in universal credit, a freeze on energy prices, or other mechanisms.
Chief executive Matthew Taylor said: “This is an avoidable catastrophe. The mental and physical illnesses caused by living in cold, damp homes are preventable by support from the government.” The Confed has written to the chancellor, asking him to act. At the start of the week, former chief medical officer Jenny Harries urged people not to switch off their heating this winter, and to keep fridges on because of the risk of food poisoning (Daily Mail). Age UK has also written to Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak to ask them to commit to supporting older people and those on low incomes so they can do this. |
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