It's the most wonderful deadly time of year - December sees highest weekly death rate

RESEARCH by Final Duties, the UK's most experienced probate brokers, reveals that more people died in the week leading up to Christmas compared to any other week of the year in 2022, with December also accounting for another of 2022's most deadly weeks of the year.

Final Duties analysed weekly death rates in England and Wales for all 52 weeks of 2022 and how this weekly rate compared to the average death rate seen over the course of the year.

The data reveals that in 2022, an average of 11,094 people died each week across England and Wales.

However, in the week ending 23 December 2023, 14,530 people passed away. This death rate is 31% higher than the 2022 weekly average.

The week ending on the 16 December saw the sixth highest number of weekly deaths, with 12,389 recorded deaths sitting 11.7% above the average weekly death rate for the year.

Why is December so deadly?

There are a number of potential reasons as to why the number of deaths is particularly high in the run up to the Christmas period.

First there is the issue of colder weather that can be particularly dangerous for the elderly. Not only can cold be a contributing factor, but icy conditions can also lead to more accidents outside of the home.

It's also likely that mental health issues, such as depression caused by loneliness, are heightened at this time of year.

Furthermore, the festive period often sees people travelling more than usual, either to visit:- family or do some Christmas shopping, which puts more traffic on the roads and can increase the danger for both road users and pedestrians alike.

Another factor could be the increased rate of drinking and partying at this time of year which increases the chance of fights, altercations and other alcohol-influenced incidents.

Beware of January....

Sadly, the situation doesn't get much better after Christmas with January accounting for 4 of the 10 most deadly weeks seen in 2022.

The week ending 14 January was the second-most deadly week of the year, with 13,311 recorded deaths in 2022 - sitting 20% above the weekly average for the year.

The week ending 21 January (12,776) ranked 3rd, the 28 January (12,401) ranked 5th, and 7 January (12,262) ranked as the 7th most deadly week of 2022.

Advice for staying safe this Christmas...

To stay safe this Christmas, and to help friends, neighbours, and loved ones stay safe as well, there are a number of things you can do.

First you've got to make sure you check in on any elderly or vulnerable friends or neighbours who might struggle in the cold weather. Pay them a visit:- and make sure the house is warm and they're generally able to prepare food and protect themselves against the elements.

When travelling, allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you're going. The risk of traffic accidents rises when you're in a rush, so take your time on the roads.

It's also important to make sure your car is up to the job of driving in cold, adverse weather conditions. So it may be worth getting it checked by a professional if you have a particularly long pilgrimage to make this Christmas to see family or friends.

When attending Christmas parties, watch your alcohol intake, as well as that of those around you. Do not drink and drive under any circumstances, and respond to any drunken aggression from others by quietly and politely walking away.

Finally, if you are experiencing any signs of depression or heightened anxiety around the festive period, know that you don't have to go through it alone. There are lots of places you can go to for help or advice, such as the Samaritans, Support Line and the NHS has an abundance of resources to help you cope.

Managing Director of Final Duties, Jack Gill, commented:- "Nobody wants to think about death at Christmas. It's meant to be a time of joy and celebration. But we can't ignore the fact that there is traditionally a high death rate that comes at this time of year. By acknowledging it, we can take precautions against it by considering our behaviour and choices carefully, especially when travelling and partying. And we can also keep an eye on our neighbours, ensuring we are there for each other at what can be a truly difficult time for so many."

Support 97,000 jobs in the North West with a Christmas pint

NORTH West residents raising a Christmas pint should enjoy the taste of supporting 97,000 local jobs in breweries, bars and supply chains which pay £1.7 billion in wages and contribute nearly £3 billion to the economy, data from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveals.

The BBPA's Long Live the Local campaign is shining a light on the nearly 1 million people behind the pint who make the festive season merry.

As North West pubgoers raise a local brew, they support thousands of jobs across the Region including farmers growing hops, brewers developing new recipes, scientists working on quality control and logistics teams managing deliveries.

‘The local' is often the heart of community life and a major source of local employment and economic growth. Its social value is most apparent at Christmas, bringing people together and combatting loneliness during the festive season. Recent YouGov polling in the North West found:-

• 72% of people feel pubs have a positive effect in communities
   

• 82% say pubs are important in bringing people together
   

• 71% think pubs help combat loneliness in their local area

Pubs and brewers have faced major increases to their costs over the last few years while struggling to limit price rises. The Autumn Statement provided vital support with an extension to business rates relief and the freeze on beer duty, but the next budget must provide surer footing for brewers and pubs by:-

• Cutting tax on beer in the next Budget and pledging to bring beer duty down to the European average over the course of the next Parliament. The EU average duty on a pint of beer is currently 20p, whereas in the UK it is 54p for draught beer and 59p for packaged beer
   

• Reforming business rates so pubs and brewers can invest in the future, with the 75% relief maintained and a cap to the planned increase in the 2024 business rates multiplier until this is implemented
   

• Lowering VAT rate to 12.5% for pubs to help publicans and customers with cost of living increases
   

• The Long Live the Local campaign invites Brits to buy an extra round this Christmas to support the people behind the pint and join the campaign to secure the future of their local.

Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, says:- "So many of life's milestones are marked by sharing a beer, whether in commiseration or joy. Behind the glass, there are nearly a million people across the Cities and Regions who make this possible: including brewers, technicians, delivery drivers, farmers and the pub staff at the counter. The great British pint is woven into the fabric of our communities, economies and Regional identities. Local pubs are some of our most beloved tourist attractions, while our breweries produce some of the finest beers in the world. But the industry needs our support to survive. Britain remains 1 of the most expensive places in the world to have a pint, with beer duty more than double the average across Europe. The next Parliament must make bringing beer duty in line with Europe a priority; taking at least 34 pence off the price of a pint; as well as reforming business rates so that brewers and pubs can continue investing in the future, providing quality jobs and training for people across the whole of the UK."