31,000 preventable deaths amid winter freeze

The ONS has revealed that 31,000 extra people last year died during Britain’s freezing conditions with one third of these being due to cold houses. The Independent reports that people have been protesting against the big six energy firms over their rising energy prices that have caused people to decide between ‘heating and eating’.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the NHS has called for a ‘Samaritan army’ to check on elderly neighbours this winter. There are rising concerns that many will end up in hospital for avoidable conditions and, without any help, this will be the worst winter yet for the NHS.