CAMPAIGNERS are calling today for urgent action as millions of people across Britain are set to spend Christmas in Dickensian conditions, living in cold and damp homes.

This is the plight of about three-quarters of a million people in Wales, who are exposed to the health complications that come with fuel poverty, the Warm This Winter campaign has revealed.

That equates to 30 per cent of the population, which is double the UK average.

Warm This Winter’s Fiona Waters said: “Instead of help in the form of an emergency energy tariff for vulnerable households and a help to repay scheme for those in energy debt, the public will instead be faced with increasing energy bills on January 1 2024.” 

Across the UK, 8.3 million people (16 per cent of adults) are living in cold and damp homes, according to the campaign group.

Among them are more than one million of the most vulnerable adults.

Petitions bearing more than 800,000 signatures have been handed to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for greater action to bring down fuel bills now and end energy debt.

“It is no wonder that the public are now signing petitions in droves and pointing the finger of blame for the crisis at ministers, who have failed to act to protect the public,” Ms Waters said.

Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: “Without immediate action, the cost of this crisis will be felt by increased demand on the already overstretched NHS. 

“The government needs to get a grip on the crisis now facing the country, with people spending the festive period in Dickensian conditions and unable to stay warm this winter.”

The NHS warns that people with damp and mould in their homes are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems, allergies or asthma.

Damp and mould can also affect the immune system and increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack and strokes.

Cold homes can cause and worsen respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, poor mental health, dementia and hypothermia as well as cause and slow recovery from injury.