The Office for National Statistics released data indicating that heat-related mortality in England has become an increasingly significant public health concern. Between 1988 and 2025, over 40,000 excess deaths occurred on the hottest days compared to what would be expected during normal temperatures. The data does not encompass the current summer, which has been marked by successive heatwaves and is projected to set records for heat-linked fatalities.
Earlier this summer, the UK Health Security Agency reported approximately 2,877 heat-related deaths during May and June alone, nearly doubling the total recorded for the entire 2025 summer season. Emergency hospital departments have experienced unprecedented demand, with roughly 2.5 million patients visiting accident and emergency departments monthly during May, June, and July, with extreme heat identified as a primary contributing factor. London recorded the highest concentration of heat-related deaths, and the city’s ambulance service handled 25,000 additional calls compared to the previous summer, surpassing numbers seen during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Historically, cold-related deaths exceeded heat-related deaths across England, with 139,000 deaths associated with the coldest days during the same 1988 to 2025 period. However, recent trends indicate a significant shift in this pattern. The gap between heat and cold-related mortality has narrowed substantially, with heat-related deaths increasing as a proportion of overall excess mortality. Regional data showed that nearly all English regions and Wales experienced a 50 percent increase in mortality risk when temperatures surpassed 24 degrees Celsius.
Experts warn that heat-related deaths may soon surpass cold-related fatalities as global temperatures continue rising due to climate change. Scientists attributed the severe heatwave affecting western Europe in late June—described as the most severe and widespread ever recorded—directly to fossil fuel-driven climate change. Across continental Europe, preliminary figures indicated at least 35,000 excess deaths during the summer months. Researchers emphasize that most heat and cold-related deaths are preventable and highlight gaps in infrastructure, housing quality, and public service preparedness as critical vulnerabilities.
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