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UK’s health leaders warn of ‘health emergency’ over energy cost | Energy News


The NHS Confederation is calling on the UK government to help those most vulnerable with rising energy costs.

UK health leaders have made an unprecedented appeal to the government to help the most vulnerable with rising energy costs to avert a “public health emergency”. copper” this winter.

NHS Confederation, one of the umbrella organizations of the National Health Service (NHS), said in a letter on Friday that people could be forced to choose between eating or heating as bills rise. cause serious health effects.

The warning is given as of the UK inflationary For the first time in 40 years, it hit 10% last month, led by unprecedentedly high consumer energy prices.

Electricity and gas bills are predicted to nearly triple by the end of 2021 by next summer.

“As health leaders, it is clear to us that unless urgent action is taken by the government, this will leave an indelible scar on local communities and cause serious health problems. public health emergency,” the coalition’s leaders said in a letter to Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi.

Zahawi only started taking over the role last month, after dozens of ministers resigned in the government, prompting Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce his resignation and a Conservative leadership race to replace him.

Secretary of State Liz Truss is the favorite to succeed him when the results are announced on September 5, and will likely announce a new finance minister.

She has yet to detail how she will help people in the UK get through the cost of living crisis, other than promising immediate tax cuts.

‘Bad choice’

In their letter, NHS Confederation CEO Matthew Taylor and President Victor Adebowale said they had undertaken “this unprecedented intervention because they knew that an increase in poverty would inevitably lead to increased demand”. significantly more for services that are already fragile.”

“Many people may be faced with the terrible choice between skipping meals to warm their homes and living in cold, wet and very uncomfortable conditions,” they added.

“This could lead to outbreaks of disease and illness across the country and increase health inequalities, worsen children’s chances of life and leave an indelible scar on vulnerable populations. local community.”

The two sides urged the government to announce “a more targeted and detailed package of support for those households who need it most”, before the latest consumer energy prices are announced next week.



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