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Winter deaths rose by almost a third in 2012-13 Winter deaths rose by almost a third in 2012-13
(about 7 hours later)
There were an estimated 31,100 excess winter deaths in England and Wales last year – up by almost a third on the previous winter, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There were an estimated 31,100 excess winter deaths in England and Wales last year – up by almost a third on the previous winter, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure represents the highest excess winter mortality (EWM) since 2008-09, when 36,450 deaths were recorded.
The figure represented the highest excess winter mortality (EWM) since 2008-09, when 36,450 excess deaths were recorded. Campaigners and charities blamed high energy prices and poor housing insulation for triggering what they argued were preventable deaths.
Campaigners and charities blamed high energy prices and poor housing insulation for triggering what they argued were "preventable" excess deaths. But However, ONS statisticians said that while there was a correlation between colder temperatures and winter deaths, it was not strong enough to explain the volatility in the figures. Death rates have fluctuated from more than 100,000 in 1950-51 to just over 20,000 in the late 1980s, according to the ONS.
But ONS statisticians said that while there was a correlation between colder temperatures and winter deaths, it was not strong enough to explain volatility in excess mortality figures.
Excess winter deaths rates have fluctuated over the past 60 years, from over 100,000 in 1950-51 to just over 20,000 in the late 1980s, according to the ONS.
Using a five-year moving average, which smooths out short-term fluctuations, excess winter deaths have been declining steadily since 1960-61, although there has been a gentle rise over the past seven years.Using a five-year moving average, which smooths out short-term fluctuations, excess winter deaths have been declining steadily since 1960-61, although there has been a gentle rise over the past seven years.
The figures for 2012-13 published on Tuesday showed that people aged over 75 comprised 25,600 of the total, and EWM was higher in females (18,000) than males (13,100). The figures for 2012-13 showed people aged over 75 accounted for 25,600 of the total, and excess mortality was higher in females (18,000) than in males (13,100).
The north-west of England had the highest rates, and London the lowest. The local authority area with the highest EWM was Adur in West Sussex, where 48.3% more deaths occurred in winter than during the non-winter period, the ONS report says. The north-west of England had the highest rates and London the lowest. The local authority area with the highest EWM was Adur in West Sussex, where 48.3% more deaths occurred in winter than during the rest of the year, the report says. The areas with the lowest EWM were Melton in Leicestershire and Ceredigion in Wales, where there was no excess winter mortality.
The areas with the lowest EWM were Melton in Leicestershire and Ceredigion in Wales, where there was no excess winter mortality. The charity Age UK described the figures as "shameful" and "preventable", and urged the government to lower energy bills so that those who are most vulnerable – the frail and elderly – could keep their homes warm during winter.
The charity Age UK described the figures as "shameful" and "preventable" and urged the government to lower energy bills so that those who are most vulnerable – the frail and elderly – could keep their homes warm during winter. The figures came as health service chiefs called for people to sign up to the NHS's Winter Friends campaign which aims to get 100,000 people to sign a pledge to "take time out this winter to look in on an elderly friend or neighbour to make sure they are warm and coping well".
Meanwhile, hundreds of campaigners held protests against fuel poverty outside the offices of the big six energy companies in London, Bristol and Lewes. Hundreds of campaigners held protests against fuel poverty outside the offices of the big six energy companies in London, Bristol and Lewes. They blocked the road outside npower's London office and delivered a coffin filled with energy bills, blaming the companies for "tragic and unjust" deaths.
They blocked the road outside npower's London office and delivered a coffin filled with energy bills, blaming the companies for "tragic and unjust" deaths.
"The figures were quite a lot worse than we were expecting," said Clare Welton of the Fuel Poverty Action group."The figures were quite a lot worse than we were expecting," said Clare Welton of the Fuel Poverty Action group.
The winter 2012-13 was characterised by a milder than average December, followed by a lengthy cold snap running into April. March 2013 was the coldest since 1962, with an average monthly temperature of just 2.6C.The winter 2012-13 was characterised by a milder than average December, followed by a lengthy cold snap running into April. March 2013 was the coldest since 1962, with an average monthly temperature of just 2.6C.
The first week of January registered the highest number of deaths, coinciding with a peak in rates of influenza-like illness over Christmas. However, the mean number of deaths was higher than average over a prolonged period between February and April.The first week of January registered the highest number of deaths, coinciding with a peak in rates of influenza-like illness over Christmas. However, the mean number of deaths was higher than average over a prolonged period between February and April.
Statisticians warned against making a clear link between low temperatures and high deaths, however, pointing out that winter 2009-10 was exceptionally cold, but that the excess winter death rate was similar to years when there had been mild winters. Statisticians warned against making a clear link between low temperatures and high deaths, pointing out that winter 2009-10 was exceptionally cold, but that the excess winter death rate was similar to years when there had been mild winters.
Although cold can have physiological effects, which may lead to thrombosis, increased blood pressure and lower resistance to respiratory infections in vulnerable people, the ONS says that temperature "only explains a small amount of the variance in winter mortality, and high levels of excess mortality can occur during relatively mild winters".Although cold can have physiological effects, which may lead to thrombosis, increased blood pressure and lower resistance to respiratory infections in vulnerable people, the ONS says that temperature "only explains a small amount of the variance in winter mortality, and high levels of excess mortality can occur during relatively mild winters".
The ONS report said the trend for EWM in recent years had been generally downwards. Many more homes had loft and cavity insulation, modern central heating and double glazing compared with 2001, meaning homes were easier to heat and keep warm and "this may have altered the relationship between weather and winter mortality".The ONS report said the trend for EWM in recent years had been generally downwards. Many more homes had loft and cavity insulation, modern central heating and double glazing compared with 2001, meaning homes were easier to heat and keep warm and "this may have altered the relationship between weather and winter mortality".
However, compared with other European countries, England and Wales both have a higher than average EWM. In 2009, the chief medical officer declared that although excess winter deaths had declined over the past 50 years, the number was still too high. The government has subsequently published an Annual Cold Weather Plan. However, compared with other European countries, England and Wales both have a higher than average EWM.
A 2011 World Health Organisation report estimates that around 30% of excess winter death is directly related to cold housing. A separate report by professor John Hills of the the London School of Economics argued that cutting fuel poverty would lead to "fewer winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS". In 2009, the chief medical officer declared that although excess winter deaths had declined over the past 50 years, the number was still too high. The government has since published an Annual Cold Weather Plan.
A 2011 World Health Organisation report estimates that about 30% of excess winter death are directly related to cold housing. A separate report by Professor John Hills of the London School of Economics argued that cutting fuel poverty would lead to fewer winter deaths and reduced costs for the NHS.
The director of Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, said: "Excess winter deaths are preventable and today's figures are a damning indictment of our failure to address the scandal of cold homes in this country. We strongly believe that the only sustainable solution is investment to increase the energy efficiency of our housing stock so cold homes become a thing of the past."The director of Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, said: "Excess winter deaths are preventable and today's figures are a damning indictment of our failure to address the scandal of cold homes in this country. We strongly believe that the only sustainable solution is investment to increase the energy efficiency of our housing stock so cold homes become a thing of the past."
ANpower said energy companies were "part of the solution, not part of the problem". He added: "We'll be spending around £35m this winter helping low-income and vulnerable customers through financial support, free energy efficiency measures and advice, and our Health through Warmth scheme." A spokesman for npower said energy companies were "part of the solution, not part of the problem". He added: "We'll be spending around £35m this winter helping low-income and vulnerable customers through financial support, free energy efficiency measures and advice, and our Health through Warmth scheme."
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