Response to ONS figures showing a record number of heat-related deaths this summer in England and Wales

Commenting on today’s Office for National Statistics’ figures showing a record number of 3,271 heat-related deaths this summer in England and Wales, Bob ward, Policy and Communications Director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

“These figures confirm the fear that the record-breaking temperatures this summer caused an unprecedented number of deaths. Most of these deaths were preventable and the Government refused to take additional precautions ahead of the summer even though it knew its Heatwave Plan was not fit for purpose.

“The threat to lives and livelihoods from summer heatwaves is undoubtedly increasing due to climate change. The Prime Minister must now act decisively by initiating a national heat risk management strategy that can be properly put in place ahead of next summer and prevent further unnecessary suffering and death across the country.”

ENDS