As many as 19.6 per cent more people in England and Wales died during the winter months in 2012-13 compared with the non-winter months – up from 15.5 per cent in 2011-12 – according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

Key points

• An estimated 31,100 'excess' winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in 2012-13 – a 29 per cent increase compared with the previous winter.
• As in previous years, there were more excess winter deaths among females than among males. Between 2011-12 and 2012-13 male excess winter deaths increased from 10,590 to 13,100, compared with an increase from 13,610 to 18,000 among females.
• The majority of deaths occurred among those aged 75 and over. There were 25,600 excess winter deaths in this age group in 2012-13 compared with 5,500 in people aged under 75.
• The excess winter mortality index was highest in the north west of England in 2012-13 and lowest in London. London had the highest level of excess winter mortality in 2011-12.

Source: Excess Winter Mortality in England and Wales, 2012/13 (Provisional) and 2011/12 (Final), Office for National Statistics
Links: ONS press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Public Finance report | Telegraph report