LONDON - Britain faces a"humanitarian crisis" this winter when the difficult choices forced upon low-income households by soaring energy bills could cause serious physical and mental illness, a healthcare lobby group said Friday .households struggling with higher bills,
"The country is facing a humanitarian crisis," said Mr Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector. The situation could cause outbreaks of respiratory conditions, mental illness, worsen children's life chances and add to pressure on the already stretched state-run National Health Service , he added.
Britain's average annual household energy bills - covering both gas and electricity - look set to double again to more than £4,000 by January, exacerbating inflation which already topped 10% in July.