02 Jan As Beast From East is Forecast For 2019 sign up to Cold Weather Priority
As we start 2019, weather forecasters have said the UK could see another Beast From The East and, liquid fuels trade association The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) is urging elderly people age 75+, using heating oil, to sign up to the Cold Weather Priority initiative, as it responds to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics which show an estimated 50,100 excess winter deaths in England and Wales during winter 2017/18.
This is the highest number of excess winter deaths on record since winter 1975/76 and the FPS is keen to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected and helped before another bad winter hits.
Deaths last winter were highest in people aged 85 and over, and an estimated 15,000 of all recorded excess winter deaths were related to a cold home according to fuel poverty charity NEA (National Energy Action).
“The latest figures emphasise that it is the elderly who are most vulnerable in the winter months and that a warm home is vital in the fight against excess winter deaths,” says Guy Pulham, FPS Chief Executive.
To find out more about the scheme, visit Cold Weather Priority.
