Deaths in England and Wales that occurred during this summer’s heatwaves were 6% higher than normal for the time of year, new analysis shows. A total of 56,303 deaths took place during five periods of hot weather between mid-June and late August, 3,271 deaths above the long-term average, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The largest number of extra deaths – also known as “excess deaths” – was between July 10 and 25, when 2,227 took place, 10.4% above average. This coincided with the country enduring some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK, including a new high of 40.3C on July 19 at Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
Each hot spell was followed by several days that saw a fall in deaths to below average, however. This could mean that deaths among elderly and vulnerable people were “brought forward” by the heat and took place earlier than would otherwise have been the case.
