FUEL poverty campaigners published a list of Britain’s top 10 mouldy cities today as they called for home insulation to become a government priority.

Warm This Winter’s research reveals that Plymouth tops the list, with a quarter of the population living in cold and damp housing.

This leaves them exposed to numerous health conditions, including respiratory problems and an increased risk of heart disease, the group said.

Brighton and London tied in second place, with the issue affecting 21 per cent of their populations, followed closely by Liverpool with 20 per cent.

Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester were next with 17 per cent, then Birmingham with 16, Cardiff with 15 and Norwich with 14 per cent.

Nearly three-quarters of the public say that the worst-insulated homes should be the priority, as almost half are worried about how they will stay warm this winter, the group said.

Warm This Winter spokeswoman Caroline Simpson said: “The government has made encouraging noises and we hope they prioritise insulation so people get the homes they deserve and banish these appalling conditions to a bygone era where they belong.

“These shocking figures have hardly changed since last year and, with energy bills still averaging £700 a year more than in 2021, the situation is now critical for the government.”

Ms Simpson said Chancellor Rachel Reeves must take two immediate steps in the comprehensive spending review.

“Firstly, she must fully support the Warm Homes Plan with £13.2 billion of funding and a commitment to help the worst-insulated homes get support first,” she said.

“Then ministers must also bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter and speed up plans to bring in a social tariff for next winter, a move that is backed by the vast majority of voters.”

An End Fuel Poverty Coalition spokesperson added: “We know councils want to help their residents stay safe and improve the energy efficiency of their homes, but they need the resources to do that.

“The Chancellor needs to work with tenants, landlords, social housing providers to ensure that schemes are available to help people stay warm every winter.

“The government must have the ambition to create the homes people deserve and end the reality of people living in appalling conditions reminiscent of those from a bygone era.”