More than 2,800 more people aged 65 and over died in England during this summer’s heatwaves than would have otherwise, figures show, marking the highest excess death toll caused by heat in at least two decades.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 43,755 non-Covid-related deaths of people in the 65-plus age group during this summer’s heatwaves in England.
This was 2,809 more deaths than would be expected based on the surrounding fortnight, the highest number since the introduction of the heatwave plan for England in 2004.
Statistics released simultaneously by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people who died across all age groups in England and Wales was 6.2% higher than normal for the time of year, compared with the five-year average.
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