Record-breaking heatwaves during May and June have led to an estimated 2,877 excess deaths in England, according to provisional data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The figure is nearly double the total heat-related deaths recorded during the entire summer of 2025, when 1,504 excess deaths were reported. Officials described the latest estimates as evidence of the growing public health risks posed by extreme temperatures.

The UKHSA said the figures highlight the significant impact that prolonged periods of hot weather can have on public health. Ross Thompson, Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist at the agency, said the data underscores the dangers associated with extreme heat. UK Health Secretary Yvette Cooper noted that while the country has traditionally experienced higher illness rates during winter, rising summer temperatures are now causing increasingly serious health consequences for thousands of people.

The provisional estimate does not include the month of July, which has also experienced an extended heatwave, prompting officials to warn that the final death toll for the summer is likely to rise further. According to the UKHSA, 2026 could record the highest number of heat-related deaths since such data began being compiled. The agency calculates excess mortality by comparing the average number of deaths on days when temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius with the average number recorded on cooler days.

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According to the data, England recorded 753 excess deaths during May and 2,124 during June, when parts of the country were placed under a rare red heat warning. The UKHSA stressed that communities, healthcare providers and local authorities need to prepare for periods of extreme heat from the beginning of summer rather than waiting until temperatures reach their peak. Officials said early planning and public awareness are essential to reducing heat-related illnesses and fatalities.

The previous record for heat-associated deaths during a single summer was set in 2022, when 2,985 excess deaths were reported. The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK's independent advisory body on climate policy, has previously warned that the country is not adequately prepared for the effects of climate change. In a report published in May, the committee estimated that 92 per cent of British homes could become excessively hot by 2050 and recommended measures including workplace temperature limits and increased investment in cooling systems for public buildings such as hospitals and schools.

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