Cold weather linked to 2,200 deaths in England last winter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:15 · Archive

The UK Health Security Agency reports that approximately 2,200 deaths were associated with cold weather across five cold spells in England during winter 2025-26. A nine-day stretch between 2 and 10 January was linked to an estimated 1,563 deaths. According to the UKHSA, 1,565 deaths were directly related to cold weather regardless of flu levels, whilst 635 were connected to low temperatures driving an increase in flu. This represents a decline from the previous year, when cold weather was linked to an estimated 2,788 deaths.

Circulatory diseases accounted for the highest number of cold-associated deaths, with an estimated 757 deaths. People aged over 85 were identified as being at greatest risk. Regional variations showed the North West recorded the highest mortality rate at 52 cold-associated deaths per million population, followed by the East Midlands and Yorkshire and The Humber. However, the North East recorded no cold-associated deaths despite experiencing colder temperatures than many other areas.

The UKHSA noted that regional differences in deaths do not always reflect differences in winter temperatures, suggesting that factors including housing quality, home heating, population health and how people adjust to cold weather may play a role. The health body warned that the population showed greater vulnerability to cold weather in the 2020-26 period compared with 2014-19. Deaths linked to cold weather occurred in care homes, hospitals and people's own homes, the UKHSA said.

How it is being reported

• Thousands died from cold weather in England last winter as UKHSA issues ‘serious risk to health’ warningUKHSA said deaths linked to cold weather occurred in care homes, hospitals and people’s own homesThe Independent · 22 Oct, 11:52
• UKHSA 'serious risk to health' warning after 2,200 people dieUKHSA is urging people to take steps to protect themselvesThe Mirror · 22 Oct, 10:48

In this story: UK Health Security Agency · England · North West · East Midlands · Yorkshire and The Humber · North East

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem