Analysis shows England had highest excess deaths across Europe in first half of 2020 

Edward Morgan, from the ONS’s health analysis and life events division, said the first half of 2020 saw “extraordinary increases” in mortality rates across Western Europe. Picture: PA 

England had the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe across the first half of 2020, according to new analysis by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The country experienced the longest continuous period of excess deaths as well as the highest levels, a comparison of 23 European countries found.