HYPOTHERMIA AND ENERGY BILL INCREASES

That this House expresses concern at the news that the number of pensioners dying from hypothermia has nearly doubled in five years, a period that has coincided with a succession of cold winters as well as drastic rises in energy bills by energy companies; notes that 1,876 patients were treated for hypothermia in 2010-11, up from 950 in 2006-07; further notes that this coincides with an increase in energy costs over the past five years, especially gas, which has increased in price by 40 per cent.; recognises that energy companies' price rises are leaving more and more pensioners in fuel poverty; and calls on the Government to take action to stop energy companies increasing prices to ensure that people are able to properly heat their homes and not be left with the very real threat of serious illness and even death.