Thousands of people are feared to have died alone, in agony, because of the pandemic, as data shows 27,000 more deaths in private homes than usual so far this year.
The Office for National Statistics research found most died of causes other than Covid-19, including cancer, dementia and heart disease.
The figures were released as the father of Kelly Smith, who died aged just 31 after cancer treatment was halted, warned suspending services in lockdown had “traded lives” and could lead to thousands of early or unnecessary deaths.
Craig Russell said: “ Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock need to do the right thing, not trade lives but save lives. Give the NHS the tools they need.” Craig’s plea for action came as figures revealed there were almost