Dr Evan Harris MP Backs National Campaign for Warm Homes

1.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Nov 2005

Dr Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, is backing a national campaign that aims to highlight the plight of households who are unable to afford to heat their homes to adequate levels this winter. He said:

"The inability to afford adequate heating has serious consequences for individual households and society as a whole. We need to tackle low incomes and the poor energy efficiency standards in our housing so that no one has to worry about the cost of heating their home. I believe that in this day and age, no one should have to spend the winter in a cold, damp home simply because they can't afford to put the heating on, that is why I am supporting the Warm Homes Campaign and an end to fuel poverty for all my constituents."

The Warm Homes Campaign is the annual winter campaign organised by energy efficiency charity National Energy Action (NEA). The campaign aims to cut the number of excess winter deaths and reduce cold-related illnesses by raising awareness of the help available to people who cannot afford to heat their homes in winter.

6.9 per cent of households in Oxford West and Abingdon are unable to afford to heat their homes. Cold homes affect people's health and wellbeing and are linked to cardiovascular illnesses such as heart disease and strokes, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. The elderly, families with young children, people with disabilities and others on low incomes are especially at risk from the dangers of cold homes.

Dr Harris MP: "For hundreds of people, winter brings poor health, isolation, debt and worry. In the Oxford area, there are an average of 62 excess winter deaths* linked to cold homes every year. I think this shocking statistic is simply unacceptable, the Government needs to do more to provide greater resources to tackle fuel poverty and protect vulnerable householders from rapidly rising energy prices."

This year, higher fuel prices and the coldest winter for eight years could push the figure much higher.

The key message, campaigners urge, is don't become a statistic this winter. There is help available. Anyone who is worried about their winter fuel bill should call the Keep Warm Keep Well helpline on 0800 085 7000 for information and advice on keeping warm in winter, how to claim benefits, and to find out about energy efficiency grants.

Garry Worthington, Social Affairs Manager at E.ON UK, said: "Powergen is one of the UK's leading energy suppliers, and, as such, we're committed to helping people keep warm and well. That's why we're delighted to be supporting the Warm Homes Campaign as part of our overall strategy to help improve the awareness and take-up of the many measures available to those who want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, thereby contributing to their overall well being."