The Old and Cold campaign run by the Nottingham Evening Post has received a boost with the news that the House of Lords has backed a package of measures to cut the number of elderly dying from the cold in winter.

The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill, inspired by the Post's successful 15-year campaign, had an unopposed second reading.

The Bill was approved by the Commons in July and now only needs Royal Assent to become law.

The new Act will lead to a programme to provide households with a package of insulation, heating and other energy efficiency improvements.

The Post Campaign was launched when reporter David Lowe highlighted the plight of elderly people during the winter months. A Fuel Fund was also set up to run alongside it to help individuals suffering from "fuel poverty", where they were wary of using heating for fear they might not pay the bills.

The paper was praised in the House of Commons for bringing the plight of the elderly during the winter to the attention of MPs.

The Lords' debate heard how 30,000 to 60,000 excess deaths were recorded each winter, for which the long-term solution would be to provide heating, insulation and energy efficiency improvements in people's homes.

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