Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
Maggie Clay
People will die in fuel price crisis, warn town bosses
Jennifer Williams17/ 9/2008
HUNDREDS of the borough’s most vulnerable people could perish this winter unless urgent action is taken, the Council’s health chief has warned.
Town hall bosses fear that cold weather and rocketing fuel prices could leave older people and young families in very real danger over the coming months.
An emergency action plan is now being rolled out across Stockport, urging people to get clued-up on energy efficiency - and to realise the deadly dangers of turning off the heating.
Councillor Maggie Clay, the executive member for adults and health, is predicting a shocking spike in winter deaths as people struggle to pay for gas and electricity, branding the situation ‘scary’.
She told a full meeting of the Council: "This is a matter of life and death. In a mild year, the number of people in Stockport who are likely to die excess winter deaths is 138.
"In a bad year that number will double. That was the situation before the increase in energy bills at the moment.
"It is a pretty scary estimate."
And it is not just deaths that could result from rising bills, says the Council.
The general health of the borough could take a huge blow.
As temperatures fall, people become more susceptible to diseases such as bronchitis, which otherwise they might be able to fight off. And some will start buying less healthy food in an effort to save cash for bills.
Coun Clay continued: "We are not just talking about people dying. We are talking about the quality of life of residents in Stockport, who are worried about how they are going to pay their fuel bills.
"It’s scary. I am very, very, worried when you look at younger families, who are thinking ‘do we put the heating on or do we buy food’?
"So again, it isn’t just a problem for now; it will be building up problems long-term for the health of our borough."
Several councillors slammed expensive pre-payment meters, often used by poorer people unable to set up a direct debit.
Coun Sue Derbyshire, executive member for communities, said the price of the meters is inexcusable.
She told the meeting: "It’s iniquitous and I can’t believe it’s justified by any actual case for the cost of putting these meters in. People are frightened - and they are frightened now."
Other groups involved in the campaign, which will be officially launched in the coming weeks, include national charity Age Concern. Its Stockport branch described fuel poverty as being ‘high on their agenda’.
And a spokeswoman for Stockport Primary Care Trust said: "The weather is getting colder and it is important that everyone gives some thought to the importance of keeping warm. More people die in winter in the UK than during the rest of the year.
"Older people are particularly at risk of these problems especially if they are living in poverty. Recent rises in fuel costs have the potential to make this situation worse.
"Stockport PCT is concerned that people may respond to this by turning the heating down."
Stay safe this winter
People are being urged to follow some basic tips on how to stay safe and warm this winter and save money, despite cold nights and rising bills.
They include:
- wearing several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick one
- getting a flu jab
- staying active and eating well
- at home, tucking curtains behind radiators to stop heat escaping from the window - and closing curtains at dusk
- turning the thermostat down by just 1 degree. This could cut heating bills by up to 10 percent
- fitting a letter box flap to stop draughts
For free, impartial advice on heating efficiency, call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre 0800 512 012.
Older people can get free help and support from Age Concern on 477 1213.
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
As for the rest ,well younger people can deal with cold weather easily. Mankind has been doing it for millenia long before comfortable homes and the burning of fossil fuels. All that is needed as a minimum for good health in all weathers is a good diet and appropriate clothing. Unfortunately some people think they have some kind of right to fuel or that they can sit on their backsides all they in their fully central heated homes dressed in T shirts and then cry out for others to keep them like goslings waiting to be fed in a nest.
Ordinary working people have to cut back and economise so why should idle dole hoppers sit warming their backsides all day and expect to be bailed out.
Go get a job,find the father(s) of your kids,turn the heating off/down,wear something sensible,and learn to cook simple nourishing meals and stop acting like victims.
18/09/2008 at 12:51
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |
How about reducing the rates, turfing out the incompetents in the planning department and cutting the burgeoning staff levels at the town hall?
Maybe then we could all afford the heating bills without relying on your hand-outs.
19/09/2008 at 19:07