26/10/2007

Government Publishes Cold Homes Map

A map showing the areas of England with the coldest homes has been published by the government as part of a campaign to urge vulnerable people to keep warm and healthy during the winter months.

The map has been published as part of the Department of Health's 'Keep Warm Keep Well' campaign, which advises those most vulnerable to winter cold, such as older people, those on low incomes and people with disabilities, how to stay warm and healthy in the colder months.

The map showed that Liverpool was the coldest place on the cold homes map, with 28.8% of people over 65 living without central heating. It was followed by Leeds with 28.1% and Barrow in Furness in Cumbria with 26.5%. The rest of the top ten list was made up of Portsmouth, Kingston upon Hull in Yorkshire, Knowsley in Merseyside, Kirkless in Yorkshire, Birmingham, Waltham Forest in Outer London, Penwith and Isles of Scilly in Cornwall.

Financial support for heating is available through the Warm Front Scheme and Winter Fuel payments. In 2005/06, over 11,625, 453 winter fuel payments were made, amounting to £1,776,849,550.

There is a direct link between cold weather and heart and respiratory problems, serious illness, discomfort and depression.

Health Minister Ivan Lewis said: "It is vital to look after yourself and stay warm and well during the cold winter months. Cold homes have a significant impact on people's health and wellbeing. There are millions of pounds of grants available for help with insulation and heating systems and fuel payments to help older people, those on low incomes and disabled people. I urge people to plan ahead and find out what help is available and what measures they can adopt to ensure they are protected against the winter."

A free 'Keep Warm Keep Well' winter guide is also available from GP surgeries or local pharmacy which offers tops on keeping warm, including having a hot drink before bed and regular hot meals, setting the thermostat at around 21 degrees for the rooms you use in the day and keeping active during the day.

(KMcA)

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