Region 'worst for fuel poverty'

Heating costs are more than 10% of household income in the region

The Yorkshire and Humber region has the worst figures for fuel poverty in the country, says the Chief Medical Officer's annual report.

More than 11% of households are forced to spend more than 10% of their income just to adequately heat their homes.

It said 13% of households did not have central heating, with 2,200 more people dying in the winter months of 2002-3 than in the summer months.

Two hundred of those deaths were in the under-64 age group.

'Significant challenge'

A fuel-poor household is one which needs to spend more than 10% of household income to adequately heat the home.

In West Yorkshire, the figure was 19.4%, compared to an average of 8.5% in England and Wales.

Prof Paul Johnstone, regional director of public health for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Tackling fuel poverty represents a significant challenge."

Poor heating, along with dampness and condensation, were linked to a range of health problems from allergies to respiratory infections.