Govt must tackle rising fuel prices to lower elderly winter
deaths, charity states
25 November 2009
The government must tackle fuel poverty this winter to
prevent the deaths of elderly people in Wales, it has been
claimed.
Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales called for the
action after it was revealed recently that deaths among pensioners
caused by cold weather rose from 1,370 in 2007-8 to 2,300 in
2008-9.
The 67 per cent rise was revealed in an Office for National
Statistics report and prompted the organisation to appeal to the
Welsh Assembly government for support.
Robert Taylor, chief executive of Age Concern Cymru, commented:
"Fuel prices have soared in recent years and many industry experts
are predicting further rises for this winter which will force
thousands of Welsh pensioners to choose between eating and heating
again this winter."
Mr Taylor added that elderly people tend to live on fixed,
inflexible incomes and are more housebound that younger people,
making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of rising fuel
prices.
Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales merged in April
this year and will announce a new name and brand in 2010.
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