In response to the provisional excess winter death statistics for 2013/14, released by the ONS today, Simon Bottery, Director of Policy at Independent Age, said:
“While 18,000 excess winter deaths is lower than last year, it is still unacceptable particularly as it was a mild winter. We are especially concerned that more than three quarters of the deaths were among the over 75s. The government should consider whether there is specific advice and support that should be given to this particularly vulnerable group.”