Millions of Brits living in 'Dickensian conditions' in cold, damp homes this Christmas

Millions of Brits will be living in “Dickensian conditions” this Christmas, campaigners have warned, as “shocking” figures have found one in ten adults have experienced “dangerous” levels of damp and mould in their homes. 

New figures from a study commissioned by campaign group Warm This Winter found that 16% of UK adults (8.8 million people) are living in cold, damp homes this winter. The campaign group highlighted the dangers of these conditions, with 5,000 excess deaths caused by cold and damp homes in winter 2022 to 2023.

The study, released on Thursday (5 December), also found that almost one in 10 UK adults (9%) frequently experienced “dangerous” levels of mould in their homes over the past 12 months.

Almost half (47%) of the adults polled stated they were “worried” about how they would stay warm this winter, while 46% of those surveyed stated they were worried they would have to rely on the NHS this winter.

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Warm This Winter explained that the government’s Warm Homes Plan – which will see homeowners in England and Wales receive heat pump grants and social housing residents receive funded energy efficiency upgrades – will improve people’s homes, however this may be “too late” for those experiencing “dangerous” levels of mould.

The poll found that a “large majority of people” support a fully funded nationwide insulation and ventilation programme to tackle the issues caused by cold, damp houses over winter.

Nearly three quarters of people surveyed (72%) supported the worst insulated homes being made a priority.

The research comes as it was found that people in the UK are paying 65% above what they were paying for their energy bills compared to 2021 to 2022, with £700 added to the average household’s bill.

Figures ‘should send alarm bells’ to government

“The sheer numbers of people living in cold damp homes this winter should send alarm bells throughout Westminster,” Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented on the results of the survey.

“These shocking figures have hardly changed since last year and with energy bills heading upwards again in January, the situation is now critical for the government.”

Francis continued: “The chancellor must take two immediate steps in the Comprehensive Spending Review. Firstly, she must fully support the Warm Homes Plan with £13.2bn of funding and a commitment to help the worst insulated homes get support first.

“Then ministers must also bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter and speed up plans to bring in a social tariff for next winter – a move that is backed by the vast majority of voters.”

Warm This Winter spokesperson Caroline Simpson added: “It is shocking that while people are looking forward to celebrating the festivities, too many are still living in true Dickensian conditions, where cold damp homes are making them ill.

“We need to see a government that has the ambition to create the homes people deserve and banish these appalling conditions to a bygone era where they belong.”

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