There were 18,000 winter-related female deaths, a rise from 13,610 the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of excess male deaths was 13,100 - a rise from 10,590 observed in 2011/12.
This nets out to an increase of 7,000 people, out of a population of 63m people or a .01% increase, year-to-year. Sounds like they were just unprepared for the sub-freezing weather outdoors, which is actually somewhat atypical for England (where 5/6 of the population lives), which usually doesn't experience a freeze for more than a few days at a time.
For what it's worth, the Mirror is a far-left wing paper formerly headed up by CNN's Piers Morgan. Whining about the latest Tory outrage is its bread-and-butter.
“For what it’s worth, the Mirror is a far-left wing paper formerly headed up by CNN’s Piers Morgan. Whining about the latest Tory outrage is its bread-and-butter.”
Your analysis and subsequent statement is on target. Regardless, 31,000 deaths, true or not, will sway people to attack the current government and throw them out on their ear. That makes your math, although correct, incorrect. You won’t be able to save Osbourne’s or Cameron’s butts.
Nonetheless, I’m enjoying this FR conversation.