MILLIONS of older people face the threat of worsening ill-health and even death this winter because of the poor state of homes in Britain, a new study has revealed.

The “hidden housing crisis” demands “a national strategy to tackle poor-quality housing” from the government, the study by the Centre for Ageing Better has found.

The study exposes problems including rising dampness, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay, being too cold in the winter and structural issues facing Britain’s over-fifties.