That this House is ashamed and appalled by the massive increase in excess winter deaths last winter in England and Wales as detailed by the Office of National Statistics; notes that an estimated additional 31,100 people died, up 29 per cent over the previous year, most of these the frail and elderly; believes that these sad and unnecessary deaths were largely caused by cold and lack of heating, a consequence of this Government's austerity programme and the lack of regulation of the rapacious energy companies; contrasts this massive surge in fatalities with the ballooning profits of the big six energy companies, up 77 per cent in one year; and demands an emergency national insulation programme, a boost to the state pension, a nationally co-ordinated programme through local authorities to identify those most vulnerable to the cold, the immediate freezing of energy prices and a programme to bring energy supply into public ownership so that this avoidable tragedy is not repeated this winter and in the following years.

That this House is ashamed and appalled by the massive increase in excess winter deaths last winter in England and Wales as detailed by the Office of National Statistics; notes that an estimated additional 31,100 people died, up 29 per cent over the previous year, most of these the frail...

That this House notes that over the last 10 years there has been an average of nearly 30,000 excess winter deaths each year in the UK, the vast majority of which are older people; recognises that the immediate cause of most deaths is cardiovascular or respiratory problems brought about by exposure to cold; highlights that in many cases these deaths and associated ill-health are preventable; further recognises the strain that cold weather-related health problems place on local health services, the cost of which has been estimated by the Chief Medical Officer at £890 million per year in England alone, making this a national public health issue; and further notes that hon. Members of this House have a role to play in helping prevent excess winter deaths and associated ill-health problems by encouraging local authorities and other organisations in their constituencies to both prioritise this issue as a public health concern and put plans in place to deal with it.

That this House notes that over the last 10 years there has been an average of nearly 30,000 excess winter deaths each year in the UK, the vast majority of which are older people; recognises that the immediate cause of most deaths is cardiovascular or respiratory problems brought about by...

That this House recognises the serious problem of fuel poverty in this country, especially amongst older people; is concerned that the excess winter death rate rose by 49 per cent. last year; acknowledges the adverse impact that rising fuel bills are likely to have on the ability of older people to keep warm and healthy; and calls on the Government to support the National Pensioners Convention's call to maintain the winter fuel payment at its current level of 250 for pensioner households where someone is between 60 and 79 years old and 400 for those aged 80 and over.

That this House recognises the serious problem of fuel poverty in this country, especially amongst older people; is concerned that the excess winter death rate rose by 49 per cent. last year; acknowledges the adverse impact that rising fuel bills are likely to have on the ability of older people...

That this House is deeply concerned that fuel poverty now affects 320,000 Welsh households, 90,000 more than last year; is shocked that the number of excess winter deaths in Wales rose by 67 per cent. between 2007-08 and 2008-09; notes that the target to eradicate fuel poverty amongst vulnerable groups will be missed; believes that the target to eradicate fuel poverty in Wales by 2018 will be missed unless efforts are substantially improved; fully supports the Fuel Poverty Charter for Wales; and calls on the Assembly and Westminster Government to implement the Charter's proposals in full so that Wales can be set on the path to eradicate fuel poverty once and for all.

That this House is deeply concerned that fuel poverty now affects 320,000 Welsh households, 90,000 more than last year; is shocked that the number of excess winter deaths in Wales rose by 67 per cent. between 2007-08 and 2008-09; notes that the target to eradicate fuel poverty amongst vulnerable groups...

That this House shares the serious concerns of the UK Autism Foundation that there will be many more parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome across the United Kingdom who will be faced with winter fuel poverty; notes that many families with autism and Asperger's syndrome are struggling to heat their homes because of rising gas and electricity bills particularly during the credit crunch and the recession; is concerned that despite the economic downturn energy bills are at record high levels; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide crisis payments for families with autism below the poverty line who are struggling to heat their homes this Christmas; backs the call of the UK Autism Foundation for an industry-wide reduced social tariff for all families and people with disabilities including autism; urges the Government to take this matter up with energy companies as soon as possible in order to help families with autism who are struggling to cope with high gas and electricity bills during the recession; and calls on the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide on-going support to families with autism struggling to cope with financial burdens and facing the threat of home repossessions during the credit crunch and the recession in 2009 and beyond.

That this House shares the serious concerns of the UK Autism Foundation that there will be many more parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome across the United Kingdom who will be faced with winter fuel poverty; notes that many families with autism and Asperger's syndrome are...

That this House recognises the imminent crisis faced by older people suffering from poverty this winter; notes the particular impact of fuel and food price rises on older citizens; applauds the Can't Heat or Eat campaign being run by Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Age Sector Platform; is concerned at the low uptake of pension credit; calls for the automatic payment of pension credit to all pensioners for three months to provide support through this winter's challenges and to enhance future take-up; supports the campaign's call for an emergency trust fund to be set up to address fuel poverty and for an increase in the winter fuel payment to ??500; further calls for the restoration of the earnings link for the state pension without delay; welcomes the call for promotion of advice on benefits and debt management; and further calls on the Government to work with devolved administrations and relevant agencies to deliver these measures.

That this House recognises the imminent crisis faced by older people suffering from poverty this winter; notes the particular impact of fuel and food price rises on older citizens; applauds the Can't Heat or Eat campaign being run by Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Age Sector Platform; is...

That this House believes that the proposed EU ban on the production or renovation of traditional barometers, on the spurious grounds that mercury from an antique barometer may enter the food chain, is ridiculous and unnecessary.

That this House believes that the proposed EU ban on the production or renovation of traditional barometers, on the spurious grounds that mercury from an antique barometer may enter the food chain, is ridiculous and unnecessary.

That this House notes that it is a year since the change to the BBC weather bulletin which, despite the self-congratulations of BBC executives, still fails to compare for weather information with the previous forecast despite a reported outlay of around a million pounds; further notes that despite an improvement in the tilt of the map, it is still not equally representative of the UK land mass area, and is particularly deficient in wind information, particularly speed, direction and crucial isobar information; and further notes that many people who once used the BBC as the touchstone of weather information now have to use other sources outwith the funding of the licence fee.

That this House notes that it is a year since the change to the BBC weather bulletin which, despite the self-congratulations of BBC executives, still fails to compare for weather information with the previous forecast despite a reported outlay of around a million pounds; further notes that despite an improvement...

That this House notes with concern recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics showing that the number of excess winter deaths in England and Wales are at their highest for five years; expresses great concern that deaths amongst older people have increased by 35 per cent. in just one year; further notes that excess winter deaths dropped in Scotland in the same period; further notes new research from the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership which shows that 1.5 million older households live without proper heating and insulation and that one in three households containing someone over 85 years live in homes that are sub-standard in terms of their thermal efficiency; expresses further concern about the risk of cold-related illness and mortality amongst older people this winter; welcomes the positive contribution that both the Government's Warm Front and energy supplier energy efficiency schemes have made to help meet Government targets to eradicate fuel poverty amongst vulnerable groups by 2010 and amongst all groups by 2016; and calls on the Government to increase investment in measures to reduce fuel poverty at this important time and to end means-testing of its Warm Front scheme so that all older households are supplied with central heating and insulation.

That this House notes with concern recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics showing that the number of excess winter deaths in England and Wales are at their highest for five years; expresses great concern that deaths amongst older people have increased by 35 per cent. in just...

That this House notes reports from Ofgem on the potential tightness of gas supply in the event of a one in twenty cold winter and reports from the Meteorological Office indicating that a one in forty cold winter may happen; further notes that energy prices have risen considerably due to supply constraints and that in years to come supply constraints are likely to be tighter; further notes that merely constraining demand through price mechanisms will over time lead to continuing increases; and calls on the Government to consider mechanisms to reduce demand, both on a national and global basis, in the interests of reducing carbon emissions and protecting consumers against excessive pricing.

That this House notes reports from Ofgem on the potential tightness of gas supply in the event of a one in twenty cold winter and reports from the Meteorological Office indicating that a one in forty cold winter may happen; further notes that energy prices have risen considerably due to...

That this House notes the findings of the research by the Environment Agency which shows that around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales; notes how the risk of both inland and coastal flooding in these areas will increase as a result of increases in the frequency of extreme weather events and sea levels rising due to climate change; highlights how the autumn of 2000 saw the most extensive floods in England and Wales for over 50 years, with approximately 10,000 properties flooded and the cost of damage around one billion pounds; and calls on the Government to take a more strategic and holisitic approach to water management and supply by strengthening existing legislation concerning developments on flood plains and promoting small soft solutions, such as ensuring that all new developments incorporate sustainable urban drainage.

That this House notes the findings of the research by the Environment Agency which shows that around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales; notes how the risk of both inland and coastal flooding in these areas will increase as a...

That this House believes that as the millennium approaches it is unacceptable that some 8,000,000 households live in cold homes, that up to 50,000 people die every winter from cold-related illnesses, that around ??1 billion of NHS money is required every year to treat cold-related illnesses and that the current crisis in the NHS may be repeated every winter as a result; acknowledges that the Government has announced its wish to end fuel poverty; and therefore declares its support for the Fuel Poverty and Energy Conservation Bill introduced by the honourable Member for Dundee East, which will require local authorities, as part of their reports under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, to draw up strategies to combat fuel poverty, and then to ensure action by appointing a designated officer.

That this House believes that as the millennium approaches it is unacceptable that some 8,000,000 households live in cold homes, that up to 50,000 people die every winter from cold-related illnesses, that around ??1 billion of NHS money is required every year to treat cold-related illnesses and that the current...

That this House notes that preventable deaths from cold-related illnesses are a uniquely British scourge; considers that prompt action to include wind chill in the calculation of cold weather payments would be an excellent way for the government to show its commitment to the well-being of Britain's poorest pensioners; notes that the Government's own research concludes that it is perfectly possible to include wind chill; further notes that the Government's report concludes that if wind chill had been included over the last three years, an average additional expenditure of just ??8 million per annum would have been incurred; considers that this is a small price to pay to honour commitments made to those pensioners and others in receipt of income support who are eligible for cold weather payments; and calls upon the Government to reconsider its decision not to include wind chill in the calculation of cold weather payments.

That this House notes that preventable deaths from cold-related illnesses are a uniquely British scourge; considers that prompt action to include wind chill in the calculation of cold weather payments would be an excellent way for the government to show its commitment to the well-being of Britain's poorest pensioners; notes...

That this House notes with dismay that the United Kingdom has a higher death toll from cold-related illnesses than any other nation and that a major factor is poorly insulated houses; and therefore calls for a reduction in VAT on insulation and energy efficiency equipment and a massive increase in the programme for upgrading the energy efficiency of homes occupied by those on low incomes.

That this House notes with dismay that the United Kingdom has a higher death toll from cold-related illnesses than any other nation and that a major factor is poorly insulated houses; and therefore calls for a reduction in VAT on insulation and energy efficiency equipment and a massive increase in...

That this House congratulates Help The Aged for their media campaign highlighting the plight of the elderly suffering from fuel poverty; notes that there will be about 21,000 unnecessary deaths this winter from cold-related illnesses in Britain; regards those deaths as far more shocking than any advertisements; and calls on public agencies and local government to work with voluntary organisations to minimise the death toll.

That this House congratulates Help The Aged for their media campaign highlighting the plight of the elderly suffering from fuel poverty; notes that there will be about 21,000 unnecessary deaths this winter from cold-related illnesses in Britain; regards those deaths as far more shocking than any advertisements; and calls on...

That this House notes with dismay that the United Kingdom has a higher death toll from cold-related illnesses than any other nation, and that a major factor is poorly insulated houses; and therefore calls for a reduction in VAT on insulation and energy efficiency equipment and a massive increase in the programme for upgrading the energy efficiency of homes occupied by those on low incomes.

That this House notes with dismay that the United Kingdom has a higher death toll from cold-related illnesses than any other nation, and that a major factor is poorly insulated houses; and therefore calls for a reduction in VAT on insulation and energy efficiency equipment and a massive increase in...