Excess winter deaths in Wales a badge of shame says Assembly Member

12.00.00am GMT Mon 18th Feb 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Social Justice Spokesperson, Peter Black has condemned the continuing number of excess winter deaths in Wales, and is calling for action from the Government to bring the numbers down.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that there were 1,400 extra deaths last winter, with three-quarters of them involving people aged 75 or over.

Mr. Black said:

"Whilst it is true that the figures have declined by 10% from the year before, it is nevertheless true that these excess deaths are a badge of shame for Wales.

"Until such time as Labour act to both ensure that our older citizens are paid a pension that permits them to both pay winter heating bills and eat properly without worrying, and take action against the blatant profiteering that has been going on in the power industry, we will be dependent upon milder winters to bring numbers down. That is simply not acceptable.

"That is why the Welsh Liberal Democrats propose a citizens' pension paid to pensioners as of right and a simplification of the benefits system to make sure that people get everything to which they are entitled."