OLDER people have been urged to keep their heating on as bitterly cold weather and up to 20cm of snow grip Britain this weekend.

Age UK warned some elderly people are so worried about paying their bills that they will keep it too low or turn it off altogether.

Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “This is really bad for their health so we encourage any older person who feels in a tough spot financially to give us a ring, because extra help may well be available and we can help them to access it.

“All of us need to look out for older people around us who could do with a helping hand and some friendly support to stay well over the cold snap. 

“You could make a real difference; for example, offering to bring in some shopping or collect a prescription may mean a frail older person avoids a damaging fall if it’s slippery outside.”

Today Unite general secretary Sharon Graham hit out at profiteering energy giants.

“Energy bills rising again, energy companies continue to rake in obscene profits,” she said on X.

“If the government is serious about bringing down bills, it must tackle corporate profiteering.

“We need to bring back public ownership of our energy system, starting with the grid.”

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) added that cold weather can present specific risks for people with heart conditions because the heart has to work harder which can exacerbate existing health conditions.

The organisation said there are thousands of additional deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the winter months every year in Britain.

BHF senior cardiac nurse Ruth Goss said: “Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and people with cardiovascular disease are also more at risk of serious illness if they get seasonal respiratory infections like flu.

“It’s especially important that people living with heart conditions are well prepared for the cold snap this winter by wrapping up warm and having their free flu jab.”

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place until Monday.

The Met Office has issued amber snow warnings for northern Scotland until midday on Saturday, with travel disruption expected as wintry weather moves south-eastwards across England and Wales.