POVERTY campaigners called for government action today after census data showed that one in 25 older people living alone in England and Wales does not have central heating.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics 2021 census show that more than 66,000 over-65s across England and Wales live alone without central heating.

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: “These figures are of tremendous concern. 

“Living alone can make this situation worse as it means that one person’s income has to stretch further to cover the fixed costs of heating a home.”

Ms Abrahams called on the government to “make sure that it is prepared for next winter.”

She said: “Expanding central heating access and providing suitable alternatives to keep older people warm will be absolutely key.”

Barrow-in-Furness was the local authority area with the highest proportion, 5.4 per cent, followed by Gwynedd with 4.6 per cent, Portsmouth with 4.5 per cent and Pendle with 4.4 per cent.

The London boroughs of Waltham Forest, Lambeth and Westminster also had high proportions of people aged 65 and over living alone with no central heating — 4.3 per cent, 4.1 per cent and 4 per cent respectively.

Labour shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: “No person in Britain should have to live in a cold home and it is a disgrace that this is happening under Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives.

“Labour would launch a national warm homes plan to upgrade every home that needs it.”

Blaenau Gwent had the highest proportion of disabled older people living alone, 50.7 per cent, but the lowest proportion of pensioners living alone without central heating.

The next highest proportions of disabled older people living alone were found in Knowsley, with 49.7 per cent, and Liverpool, with 49.1 per cent.