New analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that 2,877 people died due to heatwaves in England during May and June. This figure is nearly double the number of heat-related fatalities recorded during the same two-month period in 2025. With August, typically the hottest month of the year, still to come, the current data puts the UK on track to exceed the record of 2,985 heat-related deaths set in 2022.
Health secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her condolences to those who have lost loved ones, noting that the extreme summer weather is placing an increasingly serious impact on the health of thousands and creating significant pressure on the NHS. Cooper extended her gratitude to emergency responders, care workers, and NHS staff who have managed an exceptionally challenging period, during which some ambulance services reported a record volume of calls.
The UKHSA estimate is derived from calculating excess mortality during heatwaves compared to periods with milder temperatures. These findings align closely with a separate study published on 13 July that utilized different methodology. The agency noted that the current figures remain subject to minor adjustments as complete death records become available in the coming months. The breakdown of the data includes 753 deaths attributed to the heatwave between 24 and 27 May, and a further 2,124 fatalities between 21 and 28 June.
Record-breaking temperatures have marked the season, with England seeing 38C at Lingwood, Norfolk, in June, and 31.5C at Kew Gardens in May, both of which set new highs for those months. Experts emphasize that these events are intensified by global heating resulting from fossil fuel consumption. Dr. Garyfallos Konstantinoudis of Imperial College London, a co-author of the 13 July study, described the UKHSA analysis as a tragic confirmation of the health impact of extreme heat. He stressed the urgent need to adapt homes, infrastructure, and care settings while accelerating global efforts to reach net zero emissions, noting that future temperatures could be further exacerbated by a looming super El Niño.
