Nhs Chiefs Warn Of Humanitarian Crisis Unless Government Takes Action On Energy Costs Uk Cost Of Living Crisis

Writing to chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, the NHS Confederation said failure to act would pile even more pressure on stretched health services as poverty, cold and missed meals increased rates of illness, which could increase the death toll the winter. The organisation, which represents health services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said that while it was very rare for an NHS organization to intervene in cost-of-life issues, there was a risk of serious and long-term damage to children’s life chances. , further widening stark health inequalities. The next rise in the energy price cap, which sets the maximum amount energy providers can charge customers, is expected to be announced in a week, with estimates suggesting it could rise from just under £2,000 now to around £4,200 for the average household. Last October it was set at £1,400. A study released earlier this week estimated that by January, two-thirds of all UK households will face fuel poverty, meaning energy costs exceed 10% of a household’s net income. For retired couples this will rise to 86.4% and 90.4% for single parents with two or more children. So far, ministers have offered a blanket grant of £400, with some extra help for the poorest households. But with Boris Johnson stepping down as prime minister in just over a fortnight, any further steps would be for his successor, either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak. The NHS warning is putting pressure on the new prime minister to promise more help or mirror plans proposed by Labor and the Lib Dems to freeze bills at the current price cap. Sunak has promised to cut VAT on bills, while Truss’ main offer is a cut to national insurance, which would disproportionately help the wealthiest people. Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the forecast rise in energy bills would come as the health service was already “likely to experience its toughest winter on record”. He said: “The country is facing a humanitarian crisis. Many people could face the dire choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and having to live in cold, damp and very uncomfortable conditions. This, in turn, could lead to outbreaks of disease and illness across the country and widen health inequalities, worsen children’s life chances and leave an indelible scar on local communities. “NHS leaders have made this unprecedented intervention knowing that fuel poverty will inevitably lead to significant extra demand on already very fragile services. Health leaders are clear that unless urgent action is taken by the government, this will cause a public health emergency.” The confederation said that, in addition to higher levels of disease, such mass fuel poverty is likely to “increase the already high number of annual refrigerator-related deaths”. She feared it would also affect mental health. Some charities have already expressed concern about the impact of rising energy bills. Katie Schmuecker, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said the letter from NHS leaders “confirms the fact that the rising cost of living is a national emergency”. He said: “The rising price of essential items is a huge threat to health. It is morally unacceptable that people in some parts of the UK are already dying years earlier than they should, and we cannot allow this injustice to worsen this winter. Not being able to afford a warm home and healthy food causes untold stress and anxiety. It also affects physical health due to lack of nutrition and infectious diseases aggravated by the cold.” The UK already has high health inequalities between income brackets and regions, with a study published earlier this week finding that a 60-year-old woman in the poorest areas of England typically has the same level of illness as a woman 16 years her senior in the wealthier regions. The Health Foundation think tank found a smaller, but still stark, 10-year gap in such health outcomes for men.

title: “Nhs Chiefs Warn Of Humanitarian Crisis Unless Government Takes Action On Energy Costs Uk Cost Of Living Crisis Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-05” author: “Raymond Henley”

title: “Nhs Chiefs Warn Of Humanitarian Crisis Unless Government Takes Action On Energy Costs Uk Cost Of Living Crisis Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-06” author: “Charlotte Jaudon”

title: “Nhs Chiefs Warn Of Humanitarian Crisis Unless Government Takes Action On Energy Costs Uk Cost Of Living Crisis Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-18” author: “Catherine Crain”