FOI REF: FOI-2023-1274
You asked
I would like to request the number and age-standardised mortality rate of deaths registered due to COVID-19, by specific age group, 2022 and 2023 in England and Wales. I am interested in the following age groups ages 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89 and 90+.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Number of Deaths
A breakdown of the number of COVID-19 deaths is available in Table 3 of the following publication: Deaths registered summary statistics, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).
The following publication provides weekly provisional data for 2023 on deaths involving COVID-19 by 5-year age band: Deaths Registered Weekly publication.
Age Standardised Mortality Rates (ASMR) for COVID-19 deaths
Unfortunately, our regular annual publication, which would show ASMRs related to COVID-19 deaths, are delayed due to our Consultation on the future of population and migration statistics in England and Wales. This is because we need population statistics to calculate Crude and Age Standardised mortality rates.
We aim to publish full analysis of 2022 data, including ASMRs, in October/November 2023. As such, this information is exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. Furthermore, as a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.
If you have any queries about the information provided in this response, please contact health.data@ons.gov.uk.