Appeal to prevent deaths from cold

HUNDREDS of elderly people in the North are dying every year from living in cold conditions because of the British Government’s inaction, it was claimed yesterday.

National Energy Action said there were more deaths from the cold because of fuel poverty than in Finland or Sweden. The charity said the Department of Social Development’s figures showed there were an annual 1,360 deaths from fuel poverty-related illnesses.

NEA director Majella McCloskey said there had not been a single meeting of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group or Interdepartmental Group on Fuel Poverty since they were set up as key recommendations last year of DSDs Fuel Poverty Strategy.

An angry Ms McCloskey said: “How many older people have to die before we even get a long-promised meeting to discuss it. More people die from the cold in the North than in Finland and Sweden,” she said.

Ms McCloskey said National Energy Action was calling on political parties to support the widening of the Eaga Partnership’s Warm Homes Scheme.

Ms McCloskey said the fuel strategy issued last year by the DSD had made no impact and they were calling on the department to draw up a plan that included:

* The extension of central heating to all vulnerable households, older people, families with children and people with disabilities.

* Resources to implement the strategy.

* A legislative target for eradication of fuel poverty.

* Urgent action to curb fuel costs.