90 unnecessary deaths a year in west Wales (From Western Telegraph)

90 unnecessary deaths a year in west Wales

2:21pm Monday 20th April 2009

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I was shocked recently by statistics that show 90 people a year die needlessly as a result of being unable to keep warm in west Wales. These statistics show how important it is to tackle fuel poverty immediately. According to figures released by the ACE (Association for the Conservation of Energy) there are 10 unnecessary deaths in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, 40 in the constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire and 40 in Ceredigion.

This is a tragedy and something that should not be accepted in this day and age. It is staggering that in the 21st Century this Labour Government has given the big energy companies such free rein and allowed so many of its most vulnerable citizens to fall into fuel poverty I am deeply concerned that so many people in this area die simply because of the winter which is obviously something that could be avoided. With the high energy prices it is about time that the government in London started to take this issue seriously or the problem will only get worse.