This summer’s extreme heat could lead to more than 5,000 deaths across the UK, the Centre for Ageing Better has warned, as 2025 looks set to surpass 2022’s record-breaking temperatures.
The Office for National Statistics linked more than 4,500 deaths to heat in 2022 and recent data suggests this year could be worse.
The UK Health Security Agency issued three heat alerts in June 2025 compared to just one in June 2022 and average maximum temperatures have been significantly higher.
June 2025 saw an average of 21.9C in England, up from 20C in 2022 and May was also warmer.
There have already been 12 days over 28C this year, double the number by this point in 2022.
Research shows that death rates rise sharply above 27C, making this an urgent health concern—especially for older people.
“Current estimates indicate that the average number of heat-related deaths in this country could triple to 7,000 every year by the 2050s,” said Millie Brown, Deputy Director for Homes at the Centre for Ageing Better. “This is an appalling scenario, and one that we should be doing all we can to avoid.”
The charity warns that Britain’s ageing housing stock is worsening the crisis.
Our homes heat up twice as fast as others in Europe. In 30C heat, indoor temperatures can rise by 5 degrees in three hours.
Around 3 million people aged 65 and over are living in homes between 45 and 80 years old, making them more vulnerable to overheating.
Almost half a million households headed by someone over 65 report their home overheats during summer.
The Centre is calling on the government to include housing quality in its upcoming Housing Strategy and to fund a network of “Good Home Hubs” to support home improvement.
“With increasingly hot summers, poor housing and a growing older population, we must act now to prevent needless deaths,” Brown said.
Heatwave deaths could top 5,000 this summer appeared first on Energy Live News.