A Barnsley MP said more needs to be done to combat the 'social injustice' of fuel poverty in Barnsley.
Dan Jarvis told Age UK's Barnsley annual general meeting it was shocking and unacceptable to have 20,400 households living in under heated homes, half of which are pensioners.
"In 21st century Britain it is just plain wrong that elderly people are suffering, simply because they cannot keep themselves warm," he said.
"It is completely unacceptable that we have allowed this social injustice to perpetuate for so long.
"This is why I am backing Age UK's 'spread the warmth' campaign to bring this issue onto the agenda.
"Every year, elderly people die because of cold weather. I believe that is absolutely appalling and it would be unforgivable for us to stand by and do nothing to address it."
Dan, who said that he would be raising the issue in parliament, wants the government to do more to support pensioners and halt deaths caused by the cold each year.
Studies have found that cold weather and under-heated homes also lead to numerous problems affecting older people, such as increasing the number of falls and exacerbating conditions like arthritis.
He urged neighbours to look out for the elderly members of their community and said council staff should direct people to the appropriate support services.
"We should all be looking out for one another and supporting the elderly in our communities. In Barnsley we have a fine and long-standing tradition of looking out for our neighbours – we are by our very nature, community-minded people," he said at the meeting at the Metrodome.
"Whether that means helping out with the shopping, changing that hard to reach light-bulb or simply providing some company each week, there is something that as individuals, we can all be doing to help make a positive contribution and maybe even save a life."
