The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is one of the most affluent boroughs in the country and has the highest life expectancy in England. So fuel poverty's not a problem, right?

It turns out that average affluence masks a big disparity between the wealthiest and the poorest. And that life expectancy and quality of life are not the same.

Fuel poverty remains a problem in Kensington and Chelsea, but it is a problem that is recognised and has has a consistent programme of support from the local authority, the NHS and the voluntary sector for the past three years. Healthy Homes is a free advice service for residents, and offers capacity building for the public and voluntary sectors to help recognise the likelihood of fuel poverty and make effective referrals.

Cold weather kills.^1-5 In November 2011 the Department of Health and Health Protection Agency released the first Cold Weather Plan (CWP) for England along with the supporting evidence of why cold weather planning is essential to health and wellbeing.^1-2 This policy aims to improve the preperation and response to cold weather in terms of negative health impacts and avoidable death.

Over 26,000 excess winter deaths (EWD) are reported in England every year, with the majority occurring in those over 65.⁶Approximately 40% are due to cardiovascular deaths and a third due to respiratory mortality. In addition to mortality, cold weather reaps huge costs in terms of morbidity and health care use.^1-8 Older people are amongst those most at risk of the negative health impact of cold weather. Risk of death is increased in winter particularly for older people with underlying health conditions such as heart and respiratory diseases. Indirect impacts of cold weather include depression and poor mental health.⁵

Consumer Focus commissioned the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) to investigate the issues and barriers that will need addressing if the solid wall insulation industry is to take off.

The report provides evidence on experience to date and its implications for future delivery. It makes a wide range of recommendations for both policy and practice..

To access the report visit:  http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/publications/scaling-the-solid-wall http://www.nea.org.uk/assets/Uploads/NEA-JRF-Viewpoint.pdf

The number of extra deaths last winter in England and Wales was virtually unchanged from the previous year, according to official statistics.

The Office for National Statistics data compares the number of deaths during the winter months with the average in other parts of the year.

There were 25,700 excess deaths in total with the majority among the over 75s - similar to the previous winter.

It comes despite what was widely said to be a particularly bad winter.

One of the contributory factors for the lack of increase in deaths was said to be the fact that the main flu strain circulating last year was swine flu, the one responsible for the pandemic.

The strain affected younger age groups more than normal because the more vulnerable elderly had some resistance.

Nonetheless, the 25,700 figure represented a rise in deaths of nearly a fifth compared to the preceding August to November period and the following April to July one.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said the situation was a "disgrace".

"We like to think of ourselves as a civilised society which protects the most vulnerable but the numbers of older people who do not survive the winter here is far higher than most European countries where the weather is far colder.

"In the UK there are still over 200 excess deaths per day - a figure that should make us all ashamed."

BBC News 22-11-11

Department of Health issues Cold Weather Plan for England

The Cold Weather Plan for England was issued on 1 November 2011 by the Department of Health.

It is part of the wider suite of measures which the DH and NHS are taking to protect individuals and communities from the effects of severe winter weather. The Plan provides advice for individuals, communities and agencies on how to prepare for and respond to severe cold weather as part of wider winter planning and announces the ‘Warm Homes, Healthy People’ fund.

The Cold Weather Plan and further information on why cold weather planning is essential to health and well-being can be found on the Department of Health's website.

npower Health Through Warmth has announced it will continue working in partnership with the Foundations Independent Living Trust for a second consecutive year. The partnership aims to help improve levels of warmth, comfort and quality of life for vulnerable people in England who have inadequate heating and insulation in their homes and they experience cold and damp related illnesses.

The partnership was established in 2009, and has successfully helped many people whose health is adversely affected by cold, damp living conditions, enabling the npower Health Through Warmth scheme to reach beyond the 15 areas in which it currently operates. npower Health Through Warmth has pledged another £50,000 for the Trust to hold and administer as a crisis fund.