Bring city homes into 21st century

Oct 26 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

IT IS a shameful league to top, but Liverpool has managed it. The city has the highest percentage of pensioners living without central heating in England, according to the latest government figures.

A shocking 28.8% of people over the age of 65 in the city do not have central heating.

Sadly, another Merseyside community – Knowsley – also makes an appearance in the list, ranking fifth in the top 10.

Age Concern says the high number of homes without central heating was a result of Liverpool having an older housing stock than other areas.

This, of course, is slowly changing; the Victorian terraces are gradually being replaced, and estates such as Ellergreen are now providing warm, snug homes for pensioners and families.

The dwindling supply of remaining council-owned homes is being transferred to Liverpool Mutual Homes who will upgrade them to meet decent home standards incorporating the provision of central heating.

For private landlords, there is a discounted insulation scheme to ensure their tenants are able to keep warm, too.

All very commendable – but something should have been done years ago.

Think back to the 1980s – did your home have central heating?

The likelihood is it did. Imagine how it would have felt to have a three-bar fire throwing feeble heat into your living room, while upstairs grew ever more chilly.

The Department of Health says cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. It opines there is a link between cold weather and heart and respiratory problems, serious illness, discomfort and depression.

Thank goodness the DoH were there to point out the connection.

Tonight – as you step into your radiator-warmed home, close the door on the dark evening, and flick on your real flame faux-coal gas fire – it would be worth sparing a thought for those who are not quite so fortunate.

The upgrading of their homes cannot come fast enough for them.