EXCESS WINTER DEATHS

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.