Over 330,000 excess deaths in Great Britain linked to austerity, finds study

Research comes as government signals fresh round of public spending cuts

More than 330,000 excess deaths in Great Britain in recent years can be attributed to spending cuts to public services and benefits introduced by a UK government pursuing austerity policies, according to an academic study.

The authors of the study suggest additional deaths between 2012 and 2019 - prior to the Covid pandemic - reflect an increase in people dying prematurely after experiencing reduced income, ill-health, poor nutrition and housing, and social isolation.