UK heat deaths now rival winter cold deaths, new data shows

New figures from the UK's Office for National Statistics show that heat-related deaths in England and Wales are now almost as numerous as cold-related deaths, with over 40,000 excess deaths on hot days since 1988. The gap has narrowed dramatically, and 2026 may see heat deaths exceed cold deaths for the first time. A series of hot summers driven by climate change is behind the trend.