Press Release (NI): IPH welcomes reduction in winter deaths but concerned by rising fuel poverty - 15 Dec 08
Posted December 15th, 2008 by arlene.mckay
in
15 Dec 2008
Energy price reductions alone not enough to help fuel poor
A reduction in winter deaths in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been welcomed by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in its annual update on fuel poverty* and health.
However, the IPH has also expressed concern at an island wide increase in fuel poverty, with gains in energy efficiency and incomes being negated by rising fuel prices and the economic downturn. The annual update follows the first ever All-Ireland Policy Paper on Fuel Poverty and Health published by the IPH last December.
Dr. McAvoy said “While results from the Northern Ireland House Conditions Survey 2006 estimate that levels of fuel poverty rose from approximately 25% in 2004 to 34% in 2006, we all know that the economic downturn and fluctuating fuel prices mean that even more people are facing the challenge of fuel poverty this winter.”
Launching the Annual Update on Fuel Poverty and Health, IPH Senior Policy Officer, Dr Helen McAvoy said that, although the number of deaths is highly variable year to year, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people dying in winter months on the island.
Looking at the number of deaths occurring in the winter months compared to the rest of the year, Dr. McAvoy said: “We welcome the finding that the number of deaths on the island associated with colder months has declined. It is certainly heartening to see that in Northern Ireland, the impact of a one degree of temperature shortfall on deaths in the 1980s was three times that in the period 2000-2004. It is interesting to note that much of this improvement appears to be taking place since 2000. There were 1,950 excess winter deaths recorded on the island of Ireland in 2005 so there is still room for improvement.”1
However the IPH also raised concerns that a recent trend for rapidly rising fuel poverty and economic down turn in Northern Ireland may threaten these important health gains.
Dr McAvoy commented “Alleviating financial strain and protecting the health and social well-being of fuel-poor householders must remain a priority across government. With growing unemployment and significant cost increases during the past 12 months for home heating, there is a risk of fuel poverty increasing even further across many groups in society, but most acutely amongst vulnerable groups including the unemployed, working poor and renting families.
Speaking as Phoenix Supply Limited and NIE Energy announce price reductions, Dr McAvoy stated “energy price reductions alone are not enough to help the fuel poor. It is important that the Northern Ireland Executive acts on the expert advice of the Fuel Poverty Taskforce.”
Welcoming the Executive’s commitment to protect the health and social well-being of fuel-poor householders, Dr McAvoy stated, “Any new fuel poverty initiative must be both targeted and measured to ensure the best health outcomes.
“It is important that those most in need must encompass the owner-occupier, private rented and social housing sector and not be limited to those claiming social welfare/benefits.”
Dr McAvoy concluded “As fewer new houses are being built, improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock will increasingly rely on the retro-fitting of older houses which needs to be adequately resourced by government in both jurisdictions.”
Further Information
Arlene McKay, IPH Communications Officer, +44(0)28 90648494 or +44(0)7734 903944
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland is an all-island body which aims to combat health inequalities and influence public policy in favour of health. Its remit is to promote co-operation for public health between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland including the areas of monitoring and surveillance. Further information can be accessed at www.publichealth.ie
*Fuel poverty occurs when people live in cold, damp, and thermally inefficient houses. Fuel poverty is defined as when a household needs to spend more than 10% of their income on energy in order to maintain an acceptable level of heat throughout their home.
1. Excess winter deaths refer to the number of deaths occurring in the winter months [December-March] compared to the rest of the year [April-November]).
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