A leading seller of new and antique fireplaces in London, Stonewoods, have given their thoughts on the news that a fresh report from Age UK, a charity working for old people, shows one in three old people are worried about heating costs.

The report found that a large percentage of older Britons are concerned about whether or not they’ll be able to afford to heat their home over winter, underlining the extent of the fuel poverty crisis in the UK and the rising cost of energy.

It’s estimated that every winter, an elderly person dies from cold weather every 7 minutes, with deaths and illnesses at their most common for people who live in under heated homes. The problem is that many old people in the UK are classed as living in fuel poverty, which means they don’t have the money to heat their homes properly, according to Age UK.

Caroline Abrahams of Age UK said: “No older person should worry that they could die from the cold in their own home.

“Fuel poverty is a national scandal which has claimed the lives of too many people for far too long and left many more suffering from preventable illness. We want a permanent solution and we believe it is within our grasp, if there is the necessary imagination and political will.

Age UK have urged the government to do more to address the problem. Their campaign, Campaign for Warm Homes, hopes to get the government to pledge to upgrade homes so that better energy efficiency standards are being met.

Speaking on the issue, a spokesman for the government said: “Around 12.5m older people are due to receive £2.15bn in help from Winter Fuel Payments this year. What’s more a total of £700m has been paid out to vulnerable people in Cold Weather Payments since 2010 in 28 million separate payments – and this year the Warm Home Discount is providing £310 of extra help to those at risk of fuel poverty.”

Stonewoods, a company providing fireplaces in London, often comment on industry related topics of interest. They agree with Age UK and believe that more should be done to ensure homes are more energy efficient.

A representative for the company said: “Fuel poverty is a serious and growing issue and one that effects far too many old people. We back the Campaign for Warm Homes and hope that more can be done to achieve higher energy efficient standards and protect the most vulnerable from plummeting temperatures.

“Not everyone can afford their own high efficiency gas fires and those that don’t, for people at risk, there should be greater help available.”

Stonewoods was established in 1982 and specialises in contemporary and antique fireplaces. They sell all types of stoves and fireplaces, including high efficiency gas fires. Visit their site today at www.stonewoods.co.uk for more information.