MILLIONS of people are spending a fourth Christmas in “Dickensian conditions” due to fuel poverty, a damning report revealed today.

Warm This Winter found that 16 per cent of adults, equal to 8.8 million people, in Britain live in cold, damp homes, exposed to the health risks of living in fuel poverty.

The campaign group has warned that the government’s Warm Homes Plan will come too late for one in 10 people who have frequently experienced dangerous mould levels in their homes this year.

Poorly insulated homes risk damp and mould spreading, which the NHS warns can lead to respiratory issues, infections, allergies and asthma.

Such conditions can also increase the risk of heart disease, strokes and other severe health problems.

Cold homes can cause and worsen respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, poor mental health, dementia and hypothermia as well as cause and slow recovery from injury.

A majority of people polled by the campaign group support a nationwide insulation and ventilation programme to create healthy, energy-efficient homes and prevent excess winter deaths.

More than 72 per cent agree that the worst-insulated homes should be prioritised, while nearly half worry about staying warm or relying on the NHS this winter.

End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “The sheer numbers of people living in cold, damp homes this winter should send alarm bells throughout Westminster.

“These shocking figures have hardly changed since last year and with energy bills heading upwards again in January, the situation is now critical for the government.”

Mr Francis urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to fully fund the Warm Homes Plan with £13.2 billion and prioritise the worst-insulated homes.

He also called for immediate support for vulnerable households and a social tariff next winter.

Campaigners have signed an open letter calling for the government to commit to the £13.2bn.

Warm This Winter spokeswoman Caroline Simpson said: “It is shocking that whilst people are looking forward to celebrating the festivities, too many are still living in true Dickensian conditions, where cold, damp homes are making them ill.

“We need to see a government that has the ambition to create the homes people deserve and banish these appalling conditions to a bygone era where they belong.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes.

“Our plans for private and social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030 will help deliver the safety and security of warmer, cheaper homes, while lifting one million households out of fuel poverty.

“As part of this, our Warm Homes Plan will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – with up to 300,000 homes to benefit from upgrades next year. In addition, through our Warm Homes: Local Grant, we will help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, and we are exploring options for further support.”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government was conctacted for comment.