It’s been revealed that 13 million Brits didn’t put their heating on when it got cold last winter because they were “too scared”.
As regulator Ofgem prepares announce the next energy price cap this coming Friday, a shocking new survey by Which? has found that nearly nine in 10 (85%) British households have admitted to trying to cut back on their energy usage due to rising bills putting significant financial, physical, and emotional strains on consumers.
Nearly half (46%) of the of 4,000 people surveyed said they did not not turn their heating on when it was cold last winter.
This equates to an estimated 13 million households nationwide, according to Which?
Almost half of all British households were ‘too scared to put the heating on’ last winter / Credit: Pxfuel
One of the most concerning findings from Which?’s research is that consumers in lower-income households and those aged 45-64 years old are more likely than others to not turn the heating on when it’s cold.
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Half of households on less than £20,000 (51%) are not turning the heating on when it’s cold, compared to a third (32%) of households with annual incomes of more than £80,000 (32%), Which? said, while nearly half of households with annual incomes of £20,000-£45,000 (46%) and just under half (45%) of households on £45,000-£80,000 said they didn’t.
Those aged 45-64 are also more likely than other age groups to refrain from putting the heating on in cold weather.
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Which? says this is probably because this age group has more financial responsibilities than the younger age groups, but unlike their elders, are not eligible to access pension savings.
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Another concerning finding is that four in 10 (37%) of those surveyed by Which? said they were worried that their ability to recover from illness is worse now than before the cost of living crisis began – but freezing temperatures are known put people at higher risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases like asthma attacks, infections, heart disease, and strokes.
Which? says its research “clearly demonstrates” just how many consumers have had to make “severe cutbacks” to afford their energy bills, and are “putting their own health at risk” in the process.
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The consumer group is now urging Ofgem and the Government to “take action” to help consumers who are “struggling to make ends meet” when the October energy price cap is unveiled later this week, and introduce a “properly-targeted social tariff” that offers discounts to those most in need.
85% have also admitted to trying to cut back on their energy usage due to rising bills / Credit: Pxhere
“It’s hugely concerning that an estimated 13 million households have not switched the heating on when it’s cold due to fears of high energy bills,” commented Which?’s Energy Editor, Emily Seymour, as the survey findings were released.
“Our research shows that certain groups are more likely to be left in the cold this winter.
“The government and energy firms need to act now to help those most in need make ends meet over the winter.
“The government must introduce a properly targeted social tariff as soon as possible, and energy firms must ensure that their customer services are equipped to properly support customers over the winter.”
Police officer who sexually assaulted a child while on duty sacked
Daisy Jackson
A ‘morally reprehensible’ police officer who sexually assaulted a child while on duty has been sacked and barred from service.
GMP held an accelerated misconduct hearing with PC Dean Dempster, 35, and he has been dismissed without notice.
The disgraced officer admitted ‘sexually touching’ the six-year-old child in December 2023 and is set to be sentenced at a later date.
He was a response officer in Oldham at the time that the offence was reported, and was arrested by a supervisor when he returned to work the next day.
A senior officer has now said that Dempster ‘has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public’.
Another said it was ‘among the most distressing cases ever presented’ and a ‘despicable betrayal’ of police duties.
Dempster was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl while responding to an incident on 29 December 2023.
He was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court in February and remained suspended since being charged at the end of last year.
Presiding over today’s hearing, CC Watson found PC Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, saying: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts.
“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor.
“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer.
“I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.
“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.
“This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain.”
Dempster has been added to the College of Policing Barred List by Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who described Dempster’s actions as ‘morally reprehensible’.
GMP used accelerated proceedings as part of its pledge to ‘root and boot’ officers unfit to serve the public.
The force is now writing to the Deputy Mayor of GM to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.
Manchester City reveals details around the first Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City have released the first details surrounding their inaugural Andy’s Man Club sessions at the Etihad Campus.
One of the most important charities in the UK when it comes to male mental health and suicide prevention, Andy’s Man Club and even its logo alone have become a recognisable force for good over the past few years, and the significance of bringing it to such a big scale as City cannot be overstated.
The football club first announced the partnership back in February and has already been working closely with the non-profit organisation to promote better wellbeing amongst men, getting first-team stars such as defender John Stones to open up about his own experiences with mental health just last month.
With that in mind, the word is now out that Man City will be providing yet another location for groups to meet and crucially talk through Andy’s Man Club sessions, confirming details around their first meeting from next week onwards.
It's less than two weeks before @andysmanclubuk launches at the Etihad Stadium! 🩵👌
Before we open doors on the 13th May, our fans sat down to share their experiences 💭
Set to kick off in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium from 7-9pm on Monday, 13 May, Man City will not only help deliver a vital outlet for men in the East Manchester area but become just the latest in a long line of teams to back the regular support group.
Joining over 180 clubs nationwide – including the likes of Altrincham FC, Ashton United and Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few in the Greater Manchester area – Andy’s Mans Club is currently helping well over 4,000 men open up and combat their struggles through peer-to-peer sessions.
Founded by a group of nine blokes from Halifax back in 2016 to create positive change in men’s mental health, Andy’s Man Club now helps gather men aged 18 and over across the country every week throughout the year.
In alignment with other partnered clubs Andy’s Man Clubs across the country, attendees will be asked to arrive from 18:30 (UK) ahead of the 19:00 start time.
We’re excited to be launching an Andy's Man Club at the Etihad Stadium next month 🩵
Ahead of the first session, John Stones sat down to find out what it is all about 🙌
The sessions are free with registration or ID required and, more importantly, there’s no pressure to talk if you don’t want to. The first step is easy: just listen.
Just because it’s being held at City’s ground doesn’t mean you have to be a season ticket holder, have an official Cityzens membership to attend or anything like that, you can simply arrive via the East Stand reception (Door F) and join the session.
Attendees will be greeted on arrival by trained volunteers from Andy’s Man Club who will guide them through the stadium. With the club now on board, group sessions will be running at the same time every week (except bank holiday Mondays) with the first dates scheduled for the following nights this month:
Monday 13 May
Monday 20 May
Monday 3 June
Monday 10 June
Well done to all those involved in bringing Andy’s Man Club to Manchester City and the East Manchester community. We hope the sessions will help those going along as they have done for thousands of others.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd August 2023 
