Winter cold kills 25,000 pensioners according to official figures

There were 23,900 more deaths in England and Wales than the average for non-winter months, including 19,200 among those aged 75 and over.

If added to figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland, the toll comes to 294 more deaths than the previous year's total of 25,393.

Paul Cann, of Help the Aged, said: "These figures are nothing short of a national scandal.

"It's obscene that in this day and age more than 25,000 people aged 65 and over in the UK are allowed to die from the cold.

"Until fuel poverty is eradicated, older people's lives will continue to hang in the balance."

Help the Aged and Age Concern want a review of the winter fuel payments which provide £200 for each household that has a member aged 60 and over, and £300 where there is a person aged 80 and over.

The average fuel bill has risen from £572 in 2003, when the payments system was established, to £924 today.

Mr Cann said: "Where it once helped people with around half of their fuel bills, it now barely covers a fifth.

"These figures are yet another shocking example of Government inaction causing older people's suffering, in some cases to the point of death."

Gordon Lishman, of Age Concern, said cold related illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis were contributing to many excess deaths among pensioners.

He added: "We know many older people feel they need to cut back on their heating to reduce their bill, yet this could be putting their health at risk.

"Older people shouldn't have to worry about health versus wealth."