Charity

Wales’ winter of woe: Daily deaths due to cold homes

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

A RECENT shocking report by Greenpeace UK has unveiled a grim statistic: three lives are lost daily in Wales to the bitter cold of inadequately insulated homes. This harrowing figure comes in the wake of the Conservative government’s drastic reductions in home insulation funding, a decision made in 2013 that has since cast a long shadow over the nation’s public health and energy efficiency.

The report, which scrutinizes official data, points to an alarming toll of over 4,000 excess winter deaths in the last decade attributed to cold, damp living conditions. This spike in mortality coincides with former Prime Minister David Cameron’s contentious move to “cut the green crap,” effectively gutting subsidies for loft and wall insulation. The aftermath was immediate and severe, with government-backed installations plummeting from 2.3 million in 2012 to a mere 300,000 in 2013 across the UK, marking a nearly 90% decrease.

Despite the clear and present danger of cold homes, successive Conservative administrations have yet to adequately address the funding shortfall for energy efficiency measures. Last year’s figures are particularly damning, with only 160,000 installations taking place, a far cry from the needed numbers to combat this silent crisis.

In a dramatic display of protest and remembrance, Greenpeace activists transformed Victoria Tower Gardens, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, into a symbolic cemetery. Hundreds of headstones, crafted from insulation boards, bore the names of the 70,463 individuals who have succumbed to cold-related deaths since 2013. Accompanying this poignant memorial was an eight-meter-long funeral wreath, starkly declaring, “Cold Homes Cost Lives.”

Paul Morozzo, a leading voice in Greenpeace UK’s campaign against fuel poverty, condemned the government’s inertia, highlighting the dire consequences of failing to upgrade the nation’s cold, damp, and draughty housing stock. The call to action is clear: an annual investment of at least £6 billion is imperative to end this national disgrace and stem the tide of avoidable deaths.

The UK’s housing, notorious for its lack of energy efficiency, stands as the least effective in Western Europe, exacerbating the plight of low-income families and contributing significantly to fuel poverty. Current estimates suggest 3.17 million UK households are ensnared in this predicament, with poorly insulated homes also imposing a staggering £850 million yearly burden on the NHS in England alone.

The environmental implications are equally dire, with residential housing accounting for approximately 14% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A comprehensive national retrofit insulation scheme emerges as a crucial strategy in the battle against the climate crisis and the quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The protest also saw participation from representatives of Fuel Poverty Action, echoing the urgent need for government intervention to lower energy bills and combat fuel poverty through significant funding for home insulation.

In a twist of political irony, the Labour Party, once vocal in its commitment to investing the £6 billion annually advocated by Greenpeace, has recently dialed back its insulation funding promises by over 70%. Greenpeace now demands a reinstatement of these commitments in Labour’s forthcoming election manifesto, underscoring the critical role of political will in addressing this multifaceted crisis.

As the insulation boards from today’s protest find a second life in retrofitting an uninsulated home, the message is clear: the cost of inaction is measured in human lives. The time for decisive action and comprehensive policy overhaul is now, lest the cold homes crisis continues to claim its silent victims.

Charity

Dog owners urged to keep pets indoors as extreme heat hits Wales

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA warns missing a walk is safer than risking heatstroke

DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid normal walking routines as extreme heat affects Wales and England.

The RSPCA has called for “lockdown-style caution” for dogs over the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that walks, ball games and energetic exercise could put pets at serious risk.

The charity says owners should change routines immediately, keeping dogs cool, calm and comfortable indoors until temperatures ease.

Lauren Bennett, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA and a former veterinary nurse, said: “During a red weather warning, dog owners should think of it like a temporary lockdown for their pets.

“For the next 24 to 48 hours, routines need to immediately change. This isn’t the time for walks, chasing the ball or playing fetch, or exposing pooches to energetic exercise.

“It’s far better for dogs to miss a few walks completely than to suffer the potentially fatal consequences of overheating, or heatstroke.”

The warning comes as the peak of the current heatwave is forecast for today and tomorrow, with temperatures potentially reaching 39C in some areas.

The RSPCA says dogs should only be taken outside briefly for toilet breaks, ideally to the nearest grassy area, before being brought straight back indoors.

Owners are advised to provide fresh water in several places, close curtains in sunny rooms, use fans safely, and allow dogs to rest on cooler floors, cooling mats or damp towels.

Mental stimulation, such as puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and gentle indoor training games, can be used instead of exercise.

Ms Bennett added: “These temperatures won’t last forever, but the decisions owners make over the next couple of days could have a lasting impact on their pets.

“For now, the message is simple: pause normal routines, prioritise keeping pets cool and comfortable, and wait until temperatures ease before returning to business as usual.”

The charity is also reminding owners to watch for signs of heatstroke, which can include heavy panting, drooling, confusion, weakness, vomiting, collapse or seizures.

The RSPCA said vets dealt with 355 suspected heatstroke cases in 2025, with two thirds recorded during the summer months.

Anyone concerned about a dog showing signs of heatstroke should move the animal to a cool area, offer small amounts of water, begin cooling with cool—not ice-cold—water, and contact a vet immediately.

Charity

Sea shanties and street food bring crowds to Cardigan RNLI festival

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUNSHINE, sea shanties and street food helped draw hundreds of visitors to Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station on Saturday (Jun 20).

The station’s Sea Shanty and Street Food Festival brought together families, supporters and visitors from across the region for a day of maritime music, food and community spirit.

Traditional sea shanty groups performed throughout the event, with songs echoing around the lifeboat station, while street food vendors served a range of refreshments.

The event also gave visitors the chance to learn more about the lifesaving work carried out by the RNLI and its volunteer crews.

Cardigan RNLI thanked the performers, food vendors, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the day a success.

Bruce Harris, Launch Authority and event organiser, said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the station, enjoy the entertainment, and celebrate our maritime heritage.

“The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and contributed to such a memorable event.”

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts.

The charity operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands.

Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved more than 146,700 lives.

Charity

Mum takes on half marathon to give back to NHS

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

KATE DAVIES is taking on the Wales Half Marathon to say thank you to the NHS services that supported her during a difficult time.

Kate, a mother of one who works in operational workforce at Withybush Hospital, is heading to Tenby on June 28 to take on the Wales Half Marathon at Long Course Weekend Wales to raise funds for Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili Hospital.

Having been in good health for much of her life, Kate has been fortunate to not need many Hywel Dda University Health Board services until recent years.

Kate said: “The journey to becoming a parent wasn’t straightforward, and I experienced several difficult and emotional setbacks along the way. Throughout this time, I was supported with great care, kindness and compassion by various services across the health board, for which I will always be grateful.

“In December 2023, under the care of Glangwili consultants, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I’m incredibly grateful and fortunate that I have a fantastic, healthy and happy two-year-old daughter.

“To celebrate, I have signed up to take part in the Long Course Wales Half Marathon! I would love to raise money to give back to the health board that was there when I needed it.

“I can think of nothing better than reaching the finish line in good health, with my daughter waiting for me, knowing I have raised funds and given back to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has donated.”

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager, said: “What a heartfelt story. A huge thanks to Kate for taking on the Wales Half Marathon to support a service so close to her heart. We look forward to cheering her on!

“The generous charitable donations we receive don’t replace NHS funding. Instead, they are used to provide items and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure, such as more welcoming surroundings for patients, families and staff, and research into, and the development of, treatments.”

You can donate to Kate’s fundraiser here: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/pf/kate-davies