Thousands of heat deaths in England since 1988, ONS says

Why heat deaths are climbing

Crucially, the figures stop before 2026, a summer of five back-to-back heatwaves that hit 38.1C in London and prompted amber health alerts across the UK.

More than 40,000 heat deaths were recorded in England between 1988 and 2025, according to new ONS estimates published on Wednesday.

A further 2,070 deaths in Wales were linked to the hottest days over the same 38-year period, and the ONS says the gap between heat and cold-related mortality is now closing.

With increasing numbers heatwaves and overall temperature over the summer, advice on how to keep cool when temperatures climb has rarely mattered more.

In England, an estimated 40,063 deaths, or 0.21% of all deaths were associated with the hottest temperatures, against 138,944 (0.72%) linked to the coldest.

Comparing to Wales, the split was 2,070 and 10,098.

People aged 65 and over faced at least a 50 per cent increased mortality risk once daily temperatures passed 24C, and London had the highest proportion of deaths tied to both extremes, as The Independent reported.

Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit's Gareth Redmond-King says that "these numbers confirm what the summer of 2026 has brought very sharply into focus."

With 2026 already on track to be the deadliest year on record for heatwave deaths, cold temperatures and rainy days are almost welcomed back for many Britons.