Heat-related deaths could triple in next 30 years, research suggests

27 July 2021, 07:26

There could be three times as many heat-related deaths by 2050.
There could be three times as many heat-related deaths by 2050. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Heat-related deaths could almost triple over the next 30 years, the British Red Cross has warned.

A report from the charity - called Feeling The Heat - looked at how prepared the UK is for rising temperatures as well as how aware people were of the risks.

It said: "The average length of warm spells have more than doubled in length in the last few decades, and by 2050 the UK will be 50 per cent more likely to experience hot summers, while heat-related deaths could more than triple, to around 7,000 per year."

It comes after the UK recently experienced its first extreme heat warnings from the Met Office, due to one of many heatwaves in recent months.

Read more: Swimmers urged to be careful in open water as 17 people die amid UK heatwave

Findings from the charity's research - which was a survey of 2,000 UK adults in June 2021 - revealed that the risks heatwaves can cause are not matched by the level of public concern, with 26 per cent of respondents seeing heatwaves as a good thing.

Despite being at more risk, 57 per cent of those aged 75 and over said they did not consider themselves vulnerable to the impact of heatwaves.

However, over a third believed heatwaves would be a potential problem in the future.

In general, the majority of UK adults said they had experienced at least one adverse effect of hot weather, most commonly headaches, dizziness or feeling faint, or heat rash, but 40 per cent had never seen information on how to protect themselves during the hot weather.

Read more: Woman dies on Devon beach after being pulled from sea on hottest day of year

Extreme weather in the UK will worsen due to climate change

The report said that there were a record 2,556 excess deaths in England during the heatwaves of August 2020, as well as significant disruption.

For example, a severe water shortage led to more than 300 households in West Sussex having no water for five days.

An estimated five million staff days were lost too, costing the UK economy around £770 million.

Matthew Killick, director of crisis response and community resilience at British Red Cross, explained that heatwaves "do not need to be deadly".

"Despite what many think, UK heatwaves can impact us all," he said.

"Every year people struggle with their health and wellbeing as a result, health and care services see an increase in demand, transport is interrupted, employers experience reduced productivity, and they can even be life threatening.

"But heatwaves don't need to be deadly. From checking on your neighbours to providing first aid, simple early actions can keep you, your family and friends safe and well during hot weather.

"We are calling on all UK governments to ensure people most vulnerable to heat risk are able to access the targeted information, advice and support they need to take action and stay safe and healthy."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Jess Phillips on LBC

Victims deserve credit for grooming gangs national inquiry - not Elon Musk, says Labour minister

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes  - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' during live broadcast.

Lammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' during liveLammy insists UK 'not involved' in Israeli air strikes - as Iranian state TV studio 'hit by rockets' during live broadcast

The Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England, where Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will visit on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024 following riots

Pregnant teenager facing jail term following role in Rotherham riots targeting migrant hotel

Hamilton started the race in fifth and looked to be on course for a positive 70 laps - before his Grand Prix was impacted in the initial stages.

Lewis Hamilton is left 'devastated' after hitting a furry animal at 100mph in F1's Canadian Grand Prix

Gareth Bale is reportedly being lined up to front a takeover of League One side Plymouth

Gareth Bale in talks to front shock US takeover of League One club

DJ John Reid has died suddenly aged 61

Top DJ dies suddenly aged 61 as music stars pay tribute

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media at the G7 summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, Monday, June 16, 2025.

'Israel has right to defend itself - and Iran cannot have nuclear weapons', say world leaders at G7 summit in Canada

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of 92-year-old Ryland Headley appearing via video link at Bristol Magistrates' Court, charged with the rape and murder of widow Louisa Dunne in Bristol in 1967.

Man, 92, goes on trial for the rape and murder of a pensioner in 1967

.

Scottish school apologises after calling Union Flag 'offensive or sectarian' in letter to parents

Richard Oladi, who works in NHS primary care alongside his mother, is currently stuck in Tehran.

'Desperately frightened' NHS worker describes being trapped in Tehran while on a family visit with his mother

A crane retrieves part of the fuselage of the Air India Boeing 787 on June 14, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India.

Families of British Air India crash victims 'feel utterly abandoned' as they blast UK government's response

Chris Brown is back on stage after being bailed

Where Chris Brown will play on Breezy Bowl XX world tour after bail

Viswash Kumar Ramesh (circled) walking out of the wreckage while clutching his phone

New video shows sole survivor of Air India disaster walking away from fireball wreck while on his phone

MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Patrick Spencer, outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with two counts of sexual assault, allegedly carried out at Groucho club, central London, in August 2023

MP pleads not guilty to sexual assault at London's Groucho club

The pair attended Lido festival together

Lily Allen shares 'first date' with Happy Valley star James Norton at East London festival

'Exceptionally cruel' nursery worker, 22, who 'kicked boy in the face' guilty of attacking 21 toddlers

'Exceptionally cruel' nursery worker, 22, who 'kicked boy in the face' guilty of attacking 21 toddlers