Heidi Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to figures published by the ONS which show that last winter saw the highest number of excess winter deaths since 1999/2000, said:

“These appalling figures are a national scandal. They show that tens of thousands of older people are dying unnecessarily in Britain today.

“The sad truth is that Government cuts to social care have left too many older people without the vital help they need to stay healthy and independent in their own home. With the NHS facing its most difficult winter in a generation, Ministers need to get their heads out of the sand and ensure older people are properly supported over the coming months.

“Many of these excess deaths are caused by people living in homes that are too cold, and alongside action on social care, the Government needs to gets serious about tackling fuel poverty. Home insulation has fallen by 80 per cent under the Tories and is set to be cut back even further. Older people should not have to choose between heating and eating.”