Liberal Democrat MP for Rochdale, Paul Rowen is supporting this year’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day which takes place on 12 February; it is a national campaign that aims to highlight the effects of living in a cold home on people’s health.

The country is still in the grip of the most severe winter in over 30 years, and there is still more severe weather forecast. The campaign aims to draw attention to the health problems caused by living in a cold, damp home and urges vulnerable people to keep their heating on until winter ends and temperatures start to warm up.

Government statistics have shown that during the winter of 2008/9, there was a 49% rise in excess winter death across England. In Rochdale, 13.6% of households are living in fuel poverty and National Energy Action estimate that the average number of excess winter deaths in Rochdale over the last 5 years is 60.

Last winter temperatures remained as low as minus 6 degrees well into March, leading to concerns that people may have been risking their health by turning their heating off too early in order to save money on their fuel bills.

Speaking in support of the Fuel Poverty Awareness Day Paul Rowen  said:

“Living in a cold damp home can lead to extremely poor health, especially in those who are vulnerable such as older people, young children whose immune system has not yet fully developed and those with long terms sickness and disabilities.

“It is important that people in Rochdale know that there are schemes in place to help them, and to ensure they are keeping warm and healthy throughout the winter period and for as long as the cold weather lasts. Fuel Poverty Awareness day is about acknowledging the issues, helping people to understand the links between fuel poverty and poor health, and making them aware of the help that is available to ensue they are kept warm and well.

“The most important message is that there is help out there for vulnerable households. I urge everyone who is concerned about their fuel bill to contact their energy supplier or to call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to access help and advice on staying warm when it is cold without the fear of fuel debt and ill health.”