Health experts warn that Britain is facing a ‘humanitarian crisis’ due to energy issues

Britain is facing a “humanitarian crisis” this winter when low-income households will have to make tough decisions due to sky-high energy prices, the NHS Confederation has warned, citing an “unprecedented” risk of dying from the cold at home .

“The country is facing a humanitarian crisis,” said Matthew Taylor, head of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) Confederation, which represents health sector organisations.

“Many people will be forced to make a terrible choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and living in cold, wet and very uncomfortable conditions,” he added in his statement.

The condition can cause respiratory disease, mental illness and worsen children’s life prospects, Taylor added.

The emergence of these diseases will come “at a time when the NHS is likely to experience the most difficult winter in its history”, he complained.

As Taylor told BBC radio, “research shows that failing to heat our homes can cause an extra 10,000 deaths a year. That’s what happens in a normal year. And we know the pressure will be much greater on people and, if If we don’t do anything to help citizens cope with energy costs, an unprecedented number of people will not be able to heat their homes.”

Britain’s prime minister is resisting calls for more support for households to cope with sharply increased living costs, insisting he will leave big economic decisions to the next prime minister who takes office in early September.

A spokesman for Britain’s health department said the government was already supporting households with the £37bn cost-of-living package it announced in May and was also working to strengthen the national health system.

The average amount a household spends on energy – electricity and gas – is expected to double again by January 2023 to over £4,000, which will also exacerbate inflation which reached 10% in July.

Source: AMPE