Insulating damp homes ‘will save lives’

Insulating homes should be a priority for the government as it’s the quickest way to bring them up to standard.

This is the view of campaign group Warm This Winter, which said one in five people are currently living in cold, damp housing.

While the group acknowledged that the government’s Warm Homes Plan will improve the quality of the housing in the future, it believes this will be “too late” for people in sub-standard homes right now.

As a result, it believes a nationwide insulation and ventilation programme needs to be put in place.

This, it said, would create healthy, energy-efficient homes and help to slash the number of excess deaths caused by cold, damp housing in winter.

People living in ‘Dickensian’ conditions

Caroline Simpson, spokesperson for Warm This Winter, said: “It is shocking that too many people are living in true Dickensian conditions, where cold, damp homes are making them ill caused by over a decade of neglect from the last government.

“The government has made encouraging noises and we hope they prioritise insulation so people get the homes they deserve and banish these appalling conditions to a bygone era where they belong.”

Ms Simpson said that with energy bills now averaging £700 a year more than they did four years ago, the situation has become “critical”.

She has urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to:

reiterate her support for the Warm Homes Plan
commit to helping the worst-insulated homes first
bring in more support for vulnerable households
speed up plans to bring in a social tariff for next winter

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition added that while councils want to help their residents stay safe and improve the energy-efficiency of their homes, they “need the resources to do that”.

“The chancellor needs to work with tenants, landlords, social housing providers to ensure that schemes are available to help people stay warm every winter,” a spokesperson said.

"The government must have the ambition to create the homes people deserve and end the reality of people living in appalling conditions."

What are the risks of living in damp homes?

Damp and mould can cause many health issues, including an increased risk of:

respiratory problems and infections
allergies
asthma
heart attacks, heart disease or strokes

Meanwhile, cold homes can cause and worsen:

cardiovascular diseases
mental health problems
dementia
hypothermia

Where are the worst places for cold, damp homes?

Warm This Winter has identified the places with the highest number of cold, damp homes, and therefore people at risk of serious health issues.

They are:

Plymouth - 25%
Brighton - 21%
London - 21%
Liverpool - 20%
Newcastle - 17%
Sheffield - 17%
Manchester - 17%
Birmingham - 16%
Cardiff - 15%
Norwich - 14%

James Dyson, senior researcher at E3G, believes the research “lays bare how damp, cold and mouldy much of our housing stock is”.

“Unfortunately, the previous government presided over a decade of declining insulation rates,” he said.

“In 2023, we helped just a tenth of the number of homes as we did in 2010.”

Mr Dyson agreed that investing in home insulation is “crucial start to get back on track”, but said ministers also need to “take some bold decisions” to turn the situation around.

“The last Labour government proved it was possible, and with the right reforms this government can help millions of households this parliament,” he added.

What to do if you live in a cold, damp house

While major repairs might be beyond your budget, there are some affordable ways to tackle dampness and reduce mould.

Improve ventilation

Proper airflow is key to preventing damp and mould.

Open windows for at least 10-15 minutes daily, particularly after activities like cooking or showering, which produce moisture.

If it’s too cold to open windows, consider installing trickle vents or using an affordable window fan to keep air circulating.

Use a dehumidifier

Invest in a small, energy-efficient dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.

Budget-friendly disposable moisture absorbers are available and work well in smaller spaces like cupboards.

Dry clothes wisely

Drying clothes indoors increases moisture levels dramatically.

So when possible, hang laundry outside or use a vented tumble dryer.

If drying inside is the only option, place clothes near a sunny window or use a drying rack combined with a dehumidifier to minimise moisture buildup.

Address small leaks and condensation

Check for leaks around windows, doors or pipes, and seal them with inexpensive caulk or weatherstripping.

For condensation on windows, wipe surfaces daily and consider using insulating film on glass to reduce temperature differences that cause condensation.

Clean and treat mould early

If mould has already appeared, tackle it early before it spreads. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water, or use a store-bought mould remover.

Regularly wipe down walls and surfaces prone to dampness and repaint affected areas with anti-mould paint for long-term prevention.