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| Winter deaths 'soared this year' | Winter deaths 'soared this year' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The number of extra deaths in England and Wales last winter was the highest since 1999/2000, figures show. | The number of extra deaths in England and Wales last winter was the highest since 1999/2000, figures show. |
| Statisticians looked at the number of deaths between December and March, and compared them to those which occur during the rest of the year. | Statisticians looked at the number of deaths between December and March, and compared them to those which occur during the rest of the year. |
| The Office for National Statistics calculated there were 36,700 'excess' deaths during the period - an increase of 49% on the previous year. | The Office for National Statistics calculated there were 36,700 'excess' deaths during the period - an increase of 49% on the previous year. |
| The greatest number of excess deaths occurred in people aged over 85. | The greatest number of excess deaths occurred in people aged over 85. |
| Among this group, deaths were higher among women - although this is in part due to the fact that more women survive past the age of 85. | Among this group, deaths were higher among women - although this is in part due to the fact that more women survive past the age of 85. |
| In total there were 21,400 excess winter deaths among females, and 15,300 among males. | In total there were 21,400 excess winter deaths among females, and 15,300 among males. |
| Hypothermia risk | Hypothermia risk |
| EXCESS WINTER DEATHS Wales:2007/08: 1,4402008/09: 2,500North East: 2007/08: 1,5002008/09: 1,600North West: 2007/08: 3,2102008/09: 5,000Yorkshire and the Humber: 2007/08: 2,4502008/09: 3,500East Midlands: 2007/08: 1,770 2008/09: 2,900West Midlands: 2007/08: 2,7902008/09: 3,900East of England: 2007/08: 2,7602008/09: 3,800London: 2007/08: 2,7302008/09: 3,800South East: 2007/08: 3,520 2008/09: 6,000South West:2007/08: 2,5602008/09: 3,800 | EXCESS WINTER DEATHS Wales:2007/08: 1,4402008/09: 2,500North East: 2007/08: 1,5002008/09: 1,600North West: 2007/08: 3,2102008/09: 5,000Yorkshire and the Humber: 2007/08: 2,4502008/09: 3,500East Midlands: 2007/08: 1,770 2008/09: 2,900West Midlands: 2007/08: 2,7902008/09: 3,900East of England: 2007/08: 2,7602008/09: 3,800London: 2007/08: 2,7302008/09: 3,800South East: 2007/08: 3,520 2008/09: 6,000South West:2007/08: 2,5602008/09: 3,800 |
| Excess deaths were significantly higher in 2008/09 than in the previous two winters for all regions, except the north-east of England. | Excess deaths were significantly higher in 2008/09 than in the previous two winters for all regions, except the north-east of England. |
| The number of deaths in Wales jumped by about 70% from 1,440 in 2007/08 to 2,500 in 2008/09. | The number of deaths in Wales jumped by about 70% from 1,440 in 2007/08 to 2,500 in 2008/09. |
| Deaths in the winter are consistently higher than at other times of the year. | Deaths in the winter are consistently higher than at other times of the year. |
| Lower temperatures raise the risk of hypothermia, and allow diseases such as flu to thrive. | Lower temperatures raise the risk of hypothermia, and allow diseases such as flu to thrive. |
| As a result the number of deaths from respiratory disease tends to rise sharply. Deaths from cardiovascular disease also peak. | As a result the number of deaths from respiratory disease tends to rise sharply. Deaths from cardiovascular disease also peak. |
| According to the Health Protection Agency, flu activity started early last winter, and more cases were recorded than in the preceding winters. | According to the Health Protection Agency, flu activity started early last winter, and more cases were recorded than in the preceding winters. |
| The winter of 2008/9 also had the coldest average winter temperature since 2005/6. | The winter of 2008/9 also had the coldest average winter temperature since 2005/6. |
| Andrew Harrop, of Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "It is a national scandal that the UK has more older people dying in winter, compared to the rest of the year, than countries with more severe weather, such as Sweden and Finland. | |
| "Excess winter deaths of older people have remained stubbornly high in recent years, but last winter's huge spike sounds a deafening wake-up call about the older population's well-being if we have another cold snap." | |
| Mr Harrop said rising energy bills forced 40% of older people to cut back on heating last winter to save money. | |
| He called on the government to do more to tackle fuel poverty. |