The Office of National Statistics has reported that the age-standardised mortality rate in quarter 1 of 2018 was up by 5% on Q1 of 2017.
Death rates of over 85s rose steadily through the year. According to the Office influenza rates were not exceptionally high. Professor Danny Dorling of Oxford University points out that rates rose before the exceptionally cold weather in February.
The Department of Health and Social Care has asked Public Health England to carry out a review.