EXCESS WINTER DEATHS

Early day motion 960, tabled 7 November 2005 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House notes with concern recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics showing that the number of excess winter deaths in England and Wales are at their highest for five years; expresses great concern that deaths amongst older people have increased by 35 per cent. in just one year; further notes that excess winter deaths dropped in Scotland in the same period; further notes new research from the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership which shows that 1.5 million older households live without proper heating and insulation and that one in three households containing someone over 85 years live in homes that are sub-standard in terms of their thermal efficiency; expresses further concern about the risk of cold-related illness and mortality amongst older people this winter; welcomes the positive contribution that both the Government's Warm Front and energy supplier energy efficiency schemes have made to help meet Government targets to eradicate fuel poverty amongst vulnerable groups by 2010 and amongst all groups by 2016; and calls on the Government to increase investment in measures to reduce fuel poverty at this important time and to end means-testing of its Warm Front scheme so that all older households are supplied with central heating and insulation.

Signatures by party: Labour 45, Liberal Democrat 16, DUP 6, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.