Millions of adults with serious pre-existing health conditions live in cold and damp homes, similar to the dire conditions described in Charles Dickens’ novels, according to energy poverty campaigners.
Research by YouGov for the Warm This Winter campaign shows that 18% of the population (9.02 million adults) are living in cold and damp homes this month.
And 26% of people with health problems find that their illnesses are made worse by cold and damp because they can’t heat their homes to a safe level.
The campaign said the data shows the growing depth of the energy bill crisis, particularly among the most vulnerable.
Jacky Peacock, of Advice for Renters, a charity working with energy poor people in north London, said: “We used to read Dickens at Christmas with a sense of nostalgia, but now Dickens’ conditions are back for those who they can’t afford to heat their homes this winter.”
The research also found that more than a quarter (28%) of disabled people live in cold and damp homes.
It showed that people are not just concerned about their own well-being: 9% of people are concerned that an older family member is exposed to the health impacts of living in these conditions, and almost a third (27%) are concerned due to the impact of energy poverty. in your community.
Jonathan Bean, who lives in Buckinghamshire, says the mold in his conversion flat is so bad it has spread to his clothes.
Image: Jonathan Bean has a son with asthma and the battle against mold is almost constant Image: Mold in Jonathan’s house grows quickly
“This morning, when I checked my wardrobe, I found that my clothes are starting to mold too,” she told Sky News.
“This was my new sweater that I was going to wear today to keep me warm,” she said, pulling out a navy knit top. Light mildew spots were visible on the front and sleeves.
“There’s mold growing inside my closet.
“Now I have to separate this from my other clothes and check the rest.
“It’s pretty awful. Literally everything is being molded.”
Jonathan lives in Ballinger Grange, a semi-rural area, where there are no gas lines, many households rely solely on electric heaters to heat their homes.
Her 16-year-old son has asthma, a condition campaigners say is made worse by living in cold, damp homes.
“I let him use the heating as much as he wants, but even that is not enough.
“Bring your coat.
“I hate seeing him revise his GCSEs while he’s shaking,” said Jonathan.
Read more: Hundreds more to benefit from scheme offering energy bill help to those with cold weather conditions. Households paying an extra £94 on their energy bills because Ofgem is too slow to act.
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, told Sky News: “For many people, it’s not a merry Christmas at all.
“It’s a Christmas of real hardship, fighting daily to prevent the damp from infecting their homes, and if they have asthma, lung or heart disease, living in these conditions is much worse.
“What will happen is that these people will end up at the door of the NHS.”
The campaign said that despite government calls for people to save energy, more than half (55%) of people believe they have already implemented energy-saving measures before this winter, with 15% already reducing its energy use to the minimum necessary to keep out of danger.
The Department for Housing, Housing and Communities told Sky News: “We are providing £1,200 worth of cost of living payments to the eight million most vulnerable families to help this winter.
“That’s in addition to limiting people’s energy bills this winter and next.”
The department confirmed to Sky News that the £1,200 for eight million vulnerable families was announced earlier this year, so it is not new funding.