NHS bosses have made an “unprecedented” plea for government action on rising energy prices as Britain faces a “public health emergency.”

The NHS Confederation, which brings together employers from across the NHS, wrote to ministers today, warning that surging costs mean people will have to choose between skipping meals to heat their homes or living in cold and damp conditions this winter.

Health leaders said they are worried that widespread fuel poverty will increase the high number of annual deaths associated with cold homes — estimated at 10,000 — and add pressure on already “fragile” services.