THE Tories’ austerity policies have made an “important and substantial” contribution to mortality rates stagnating during their time in power, researchers said today.

The annual number of recorded deaths decreased year on year throughout the 20th century, except in times of war or pandemic, but the rate began to stagnate around 2012.

When adjusted for population, Britain’s mortality rates then ceased to fall as quickly as in previous years, with the poorest being hit hardest by the changes.