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UK cold homes crisis sends thousands to hospitals amid soaring energy bills

A hidden health emergency unfolds as older adults and low-income families suffer in damp, unheated homes. Will the government act before winter strikes again?

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UK cold homes crisis sends thousands to hospitals amid soaring energy bills

Thousands of people across the UK have been hospitalised after living in freezing homes, new figures reveal. The sharp rise in cold-related illnesses comes as energy bills soared following the war in Ukraine. Older adults and low-income families have been hit the hardest by the crisis. Between 2022 and 2025, NHS Trusts recorded a 33% increase in cold-related hospital admissions. Pneumonia cases surged by 66%, while hyperthermia incidents rose by 45%. Official data showed 5,828 adults were admitted to hospital due to living in dangerously cold homesβ€”4,701 in England and 1,127 in Scotland. The majority of those affected were over 70.

Wholesale gas prices in the UK have more than doubled since the start of the Ukraine conflict. As a result, electricity costs remain among the highest in Europe and the developed world. Many households now face fuel poverty, unable to afford adequate heating in damp, poorly insulated homes.

Pippa Heylings, MP for South Cambridgeshire, highlighted that families are still struggling with the cost of living. She warned that energy prices have stayed high due to the ongoing war. Matt Isherwood, managing director of Aira UK, urged the government to take action. His proposals included rebalancing electricity costs relative to gas, launching an emergency support scheme for low-income households, and publishing the long-awaited Future Homes Standard. The surge in hospital admissions reflects the growing impact of unaffordable energy on public health. Without further intervention, vulnerable households will continue to face risks from cold living conditions. Authorities have yet to confirm whether new measures will be introduced to address the crisis.

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