‘Turn heating on? We duct tape our windows instead’

For many, wintertime brings family joy centred on Christmas celebrations - but for Claire and Gareth Ferris, this year’s festive season brings only the dread of cold weather.

- ALEX ROSS

The couple say rising energy bills and poor home insulation, combined with a drop in temperatures outside, mean they have had to resort to switching off the heating and wrapping up in blankets and duvets in their living room.

Unable to afford costly window and door replacements, the couple even have to put duct tape in the cracks, just to try to keep some of the warmth inside. But despite their best efforts to keep their three-bedroom home in Warwickshire insulated, it is a losing battle, which is impacting their mental health.

The couple’s story comes as the mercury plummeted in many parts of the UK this week, which triggered cold weather warnings issued by the UK Health Security Agency.

Ms Ferris, 52, said: “We’re making do but it makes us depressed. We just try and keep warm under the duvet and blankets. We can’t afford to get the windows and doors redone. There’s always a draft in the winter and it’s freezing in the house.