The number of excess deaths caused by heatwaves has almost doubled so far this year in England compared with 2025, the UK Health Security Agency, has said.

There were 2,877 heat-associated deaths during the heatwaves in May and June this year, a report has estimated, almost double the figure reported from the UK heatwaves in June to August last year.

An estimated 753 deaths were associated with the heatwave from 24-27 May, and a further 2,124 with the heatwave from 21-28 June.

“While these figures remain interim, they are already approaching the annual record reported by UKHSA in 2022,” the report said.

Experts have called for urgent measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to protect people from global heating.

The June heatwave peak resulted in an unprecedented three successive days of red warnings from the UKHSA and the Met Office, which warn of danger to life for all, but with young and old people and those with underlying illnesses being most at risk from high temperatures and humidity.

More details soon …