High energy bills raise hypothermia fears for thousands

British homeowners are putting their health on the line by keeping the heating off even when they feel cold rather than pay soaring energy bills, according to a new survey out on Thursday.

Almost 65% of 1,800 adults questioned last week in a nationwide poll said they would not turn the gas or electricity on or up when feeling chilly, with the figure rising to 76% for those aged 16 to 24. Almost half those surveyed said they were worried that elderly relatives were too cold in their homes at this time of year, and there are fears that 9,000 people could be left at risk of hypothermia.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed an almost 30% increase in winter deaths in England and Wales last winter since 2011-12 and bills have risen since then.

"This research paints a very stark picture of the real issues arising from years of sharp energy price rises and the UK's poorly insulated homes," said Mark Todd, co-founder of energyhelpline.com.

"Clearly, millions of Britons are putting their health on the line as they fear that they cannot afford to heat their homes – 64% of us are saying that we don't turn up the heating when we feel cold for fear of how high the bill will be," he added.

The World Health Organisation has calculated that about 9,000 people died last year through being too cold in their homes in the UK. If 9,000 people were dying in train crashes or terrorist attacks there would be a huge national outcry, said energyhelpline.

It added: "The reason that there is not a huge national outrage about this is that people are suffering and some dying in their homes, not out on public view, not on the 10 o'clock news, but quietly behind closed doors."