MORE than 3,500 households in the Warrington North are in fuel poverty, with the cold leading to higher than a dozen deaths in the constituency last year.

Figures released by the National Energy Action charity have revealed that 3,519 homes in the north of town are in fuel poverty.

Of the 43 excess winter deaths reported in Warrington North, 30 per cent were attributed to households being too cold.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones has called for action by the government after a parliamentary debate on the issue last week.

She said: "Fuel poverty affects over four million households in the UK.

"In Warrington North it is alarming that eight per cent of households - that's over 3,500 - cannot afford to heat their homes.

"This cannot be right in one of the richest economies in the world.

"Fuel poverty hits hard and is a particular problem for those in low incomes, living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.”

Young children and the elderly are the most likely to be hit by the effects of fuel poverty.

Mrs Jones added: "Living in a cold home can have a hugely detrimental impact on people's physical and mental health and wellbeing - particularly the very young and the elderly - and it is estimated that suffering from cold homes costs the NHS £1.6bn each year.

"No one in Warrington North or anywhere else deserves to live in a damp and mouldy home, plagued by ill-health or embarrassed to bring friends around.

"The government have missed their targets to end fuel poverty, which comes as no surprise given that they have cut funding for insulating cold homes by 80 per cent and have failed to stand up to the excessive pricing by energy companies.

"Shockingly, there is currently no government-funded energy efficiency programme in England for the first time in 30 years.

"Energy efficiency like home insulation or boiler upgrades have been shown to be one of the most effective measures to fight fuel poverty.

"I believe that energy efficiency should be a national infrastructure priority and call on the government to show it intends to stick by its fuel poverty targets by making it so."