NHS leaders across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have urged the chancellor to set out more targeted support for poorer households ahead of next week’s price cap update or risk a “public health emergency”.
The highly unusual intervention comes as the latest forecasts indicate the price cap is set to rise 82% to £3,582 in October, and further still to almost £4,300 in January.
In an open letter the NHS Confederation, which represents health bosses across the three countries, warns the NHS is already seeing “huge suffering” because of the cost of living crisis and highlights concerns about the impact cold homes will have on health.
It adds: “If people cannot afford to heat their homes sufficiently and if they cannot afford nutritious food, then their health will quickly deteriorate.
“This will increase the already high number of annual deaths associated with cold homes – estimated at around 10,000 a year. As health leaders, we are clear that unless urgent action is taken by government this will leave an indelible scar on local communities and cause a public health emergency.”
The letter additionally highlights how rising poverty rates will lead to increased hospital admission, placing a huge demand on health services.
It says: “The NHS is already facing what many are predicting to be one of the toughest winters on record – due to already high demand on health services combined with predicted high levels of flu, norovirus and further covid outbreaks.
“We believe that failing to restrict energy price rises will make the situation worse by placing front-line services and staff under intolerable pressure.”
Urging the chancellor to increase support, the letter adds that the current package offered is “not going to be nearly sufficient” this winter, even when considered alongside the one-off payments for recipients of Universal Credit, disability benefits and the winter fuel allowance.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation and co-author of the letter, said the country is facing a “humanitarian crisis”.
He added: “NHS leaders have made this unprecedented intervention as they know that fuel poverty will inevitably lead to significant extra demand on what are already very fragile services.
“Health leaders are clear that unless urgent action is taken by the government this will cause a public health emergency.”
Responding to the letter, a government spokesperson said it was working closely with the NHS “at pace” to ensure it is ready for the pressures ahead by increasing capacity and boosting NHS 111 and 999 support.
They added: “We know that rising prices are affecting how far people’s incomes go, which is why we have taken action to help households with £37 billion worth of support, which includes specific support to help people through the difficult winter ahead.
“Eight million of the most vulnerable households will see £1,200 extra support, provided in instalments across the year, and everyone will receive £400 over the winter to help with energy bills.
“That’s on top of action earlier this year including a record fuel duty cut and a National Insurance cut worth up to £330 a year for the typical employee.”
Supporting customers through this winter and identifying emerging vulnerabilities are among the key themes at the Utility Week Forum, which will take place in London on 8-9 November. Find out more here.