The cost of cold Age UK’s new report for MPs and councillors. Part of Spread the Warmth, making the case for why policy makers need to tackle the issue.

The cost of cold

Age UK’s new report for MPs and councillors.

Part of Spread the Warmth, making the case for why policy makers need to tackle the issue of excess winter deaths.

A campaign tool to highlight the issue among the public and the media.

Cold costs

• Around 25,000 lives a year

• £1.36 billion a year to the NHS

• Substantial cost in social care

• Personal tragedy for individuals and families

This is preventable

• Many much colder countries have lower mortality rates

WHY?

• Warmer, better insulated houses

• Cultural practices: people know how to keep warm

CrisisCost of energy

Low income

Under-occupancy

Energy efficiency

Factors affecting exposure to cold

Who can we influence?

• Older people themselves• behaviour change work – posters, recipe books,

thermometers• partnership with the Met Office to let people know when

cold weather is on its way

• Local authorities • through local brand partners

• National government• through individuals, partners

• Asking MPs to influence nationally and locally

How local authorities and their partners can make a difference

• Use the new local health structures to make excess winter deaths and illness a priority

• Improve the energy efficiency of vulnerable older people’s homes

Eg: Cheshire West & Chester Council

Ward-level mapping > problem greatest in rural areas > roadshows

Health and Wellbeing Board – winter deaths have been identified as a priority > funding for local projects eg Snow Angels, run by partnership including Age UK Cheshire

National government

There has been progress:

•Cold Weather plan (Age UK campaigned for this

in 2010/11)

•Warm Homes, Healthy People funding, £20m this year

•Public Health Outcomes Framework

•NICE looking at developing guidance – but a long way off

Home energy efficiency

• Much more needs to be done to make sure older people live in warm, well-insulated homes

• New policies including the Green Deal will not be adequate

• Investment is needed

• Average cost of insulating a home = £7500

• Average cost of a week’s stay in hospital = £1750 - £2100

The Energy Bill Revolution

What can you do?

Email your own MP and call for action!

Visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk and follow the links.

Download a copy of the report to read.

Look out for more actions coming soon.