A quarter of householders are cutting down on their heating bills to reduce costs, it has been stated.

Housing charity Shelter said 27 per cent of UK bill payers are reducing the amount that they heat their home to save on expense, even though the cold weather may have put Britain on course for its coldest winter in 30 years.

The charity stated that this means 1.4 million children could be affected by a lack of warmth in the home, noting that many youngsters as well as old people were included in the extra 37,000 deaths occurring last winter compared to warmer months.

Those struggling with debt and needing to make better use of their money may be among those who feel they cannot afford to heat their homes more.

Earlier this week, the Department of Health issued extra guidelines to advise people on how to keep warm in the cold weather.

It said living rooms and bedrooms should be kept at between 18 and 21 degrees C.