Record Heatwaves Linked to Nearly 3,000 Excess Deaths in England

Record Heatwaves Linked to Nearly 3,000 Excess Deaths in England

Record-breaking heatwaves in May and June are estimated to have caused 2,877 excess deaths in England, according to provisional data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), highlighting the growing health risks posed by extreme temperatures.

The figure is nearly double the 1,504 heat-related excess deaths recorded during the entire summer of 2025, with authorities warning that the final toll for 2026 is likely to be significantly higher as it does not yet include July, which also experienced prolonged periods of extreme heat.

‘Substantial Public Health Impact’

Describing the findings as evidence of a “substantial public health impact,” Ross Thompson, Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist at the UKHSA, said the data underscores the serious threat posed by increasingly frequent heatwaves.

“These figures highlight the significant danger that very hot weather can pose to people’s health,” Thompson said. UK Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain has traditionally associated higher illness and mortality with winter, but climate change is altering that pattern.

“Now we are seeing the summer heat have an increasingly serious impact on the health of thousands of people,” she said.

2026 Could Become the Deadliest Summer on Record

The UKHSA warned that 2026 could record the highest number of heat-associated deaths ever documented in England if current trends continue. The agency calculates excess heat deaths by comparing mortality on days when temperatures exceed 20°C with average death rates on cooler days.

According to the provisional figures:

May: 753 excess deaths
June: 2,124 excess deaths

June also saw a rare Red Heat Warning, issued during one of the country’s most intense heatwaves.

The current record for heat-related deaths was set in 2022, when 2,985 excess deaths were recorded over the course of the summer. With July’s data yet to be included, officials say 2026 is on course to surpass that figure.

Calls for Better Heat Preparedness

The UKHSA urged local authorities, healthcare providers and communities to prepare for extreme heat from the beginning of summer rather than waiting until temperatures peak.

The findings come amid growing concern over the UK’s readiness for climate change. Last year, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warned that the country was “not ready” to cope with rising temperatures.

In a report published in May, the CCC projected that 92% of homes in Britain could become dangerously hot by 2050 unless adaptation measures are introduced. It recommended setting maximum workplace temperature limits and increasing investment in cooling systems for public buildings, including hospitals and schools.

Experts say the latest figures underscore how climate change is transforming heatwaves from isolated weather events into a major public health challenge, with vulnerable populations such as older adults and people with underlying medical conditions facing the greatest risk.