England had the highest levels of excess deaths in Europe between the end of February to the middle of June, official analysis shows.

The Office for National Statistics said England also saw the second highest peak rates of death in Europe, after Spain.

But England had the longest period where deaths were above average, and so overall had the highest levels.

Analyses that take account of the age of the population also show that England had the highest death rates in Europe in the weeks to the end of May.

Spain was second, followed by Scotland, Belgium and Wales.

In new data published on Thursday the ONS said the length of England's outbreak and the fact it had one of the highest peak deaths of any country combined resulted "in England having the highest levels of excess mortality in Europe for the period as a whole".The UK still has the highest number of daily deaths attributed to Covid-19 in Europe and was one of the last to list lockdown measures – over a month behind many neighbours. Government advisors have suggested than an earlier decision to go into lockdown could have halved the death toll in the UK.

In contrast to other countries, the new ONS statistics show that Covid-19 was prevalent throughout the UK, with every local authority area reporting excess deaths during the peak of infections.

Birmingham had the worst peak of any major British city with 249.7 per cent excess mortality in the weak ending 17 April, while Brent was the worst hit local authority areas as whole with 357.5 per cent.

The ONS study also looked at different nations within the UK and found that England fared the worst, followed by Scotland, then Wales and Northern Ireland.

The statistics cover the first half of 2020, from January until June. The gap between the UK and other countries could be starker once later months are taken into account as the UK has continued to suffer a higher recorded death rate throughout July while others have seen their tail off – though excess deaths are now below normal in the UK.

I wonder if those who voted for him feel let down yet?