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Press Release

Age UK Statement on numbers of excess winter deaths

22 November 2011

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said:

“The numbers of excess winter deaths are a disgrace. We like to think of ourselves as a civilised society which protects the most vulnerable but the numbers of older people who do not survive the winter here is far higher than most European countries where the weather is far colder. In the UK there are still over 200 excess deaths per day - a figure that should make us all ashamed.

“There were over 28,000 excess winter deaths in Britain last winter and nearly 22,000 of those deaths were people aged 65 and over in England and Wales. This is due not only to the cold but also to the country's inability to meet the challenge of dropping temperatures. These deaths are the tip of an iceberg of illness, misery and anxiety which grips Britain every winter. We know that behind these shocking figures lie deep- seated social issues. The latest estimates show there are over 5 million households in fuel poverty and one in three over 60s are living in housing which is poorly insulated. The government must do more to tackle fuel poverty and ensure that housing is better insulated.

“To help alleviate this needless suffering Age UK has launched its Spread the Warmth campaign this winter. We want to raise awareness of the difficulties many older people face in cold weather and let them know that Age UK can help them.”



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