The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths as a result of (a) heat-related and (b) cold-related factors there have been in England and Wales in each of the last five years. (292446)
There are no official definitions of ‘heat-related' and 'cold-related' deaths. Estimates of the excess deaths resulting from a summer heat wave are calculated only when temperatures remain abnormally high over a sustained period. The most severe heat wave of recent times occurred in August 2003. During July 2006, there were also several days when heat wave threshold temperatures were reached in one or more regions. Table 1 provides the number of excess deaths during these hot periods.
Estimates of excess winter deaths are calculated annually, and are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). It is not possible to say whether these deaths were cold-related. Table 2 provides the number of excess winter deaths that occurred in England and Wales from 2003-04 to 2007-08 (the latest figures available).
Number of excess deaths (persons) Percentage increase in mortality above baseline (%) 4 to 13 August 20031,2 2,139 16 1 to 7 July 20063,4 n/e 0 16 to 28 July 20063,4 680 4 n/e = No excess 1 Final data based on deaths occurring each day in this period. 2 Excess mortality was calculated as observed daily deaths in 2003 minus the baseline (average 1998 to 2002) expected mortality over the same time period. 3 Estimated data based on deaths occurring each day in this period. 4 Excess mortality was calculated as observed daily deaths in 2006 minus baseline (average 2001 to 2005) expected mortality over the same time period. 5 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents.
Number 2003-04 23,450 2004-05 31,640 2005-06 25,270 2006-07 23,740 2007-08 25,300 1 Estimates of excess winter deaths are based on the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). 2 Figures are based on deaths occurring in each month. 3 Figures for 2003-04 to 2006-07 are final, figures for 2007-08 are provisional. Final figures are rounded to the nearest 10, provisional figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 4 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents.