More than 700 people are diagnosed with diabetes each day in the UK, according to new data from Diabetes UK and Tesco.

The figures, based on the National Diabetes Audit, reveal that 738 people a day receive a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, while a further 30 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each day. Scaled up, the analysis shows that there are over 280,000 new diabetes cases a year – the equivalent of the population of Newcastle. Following the news, Diabetes UK is calling for more efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes, including ensuring that everyone aged between 40 and 74 receives an NHS health check and that greater investment is made into supporting those at high risk to change their lifestyles.

In addition, Tesco has decided to extend its partnership with the charity and has pledged to raise a total of £18 million to help support its work. “If we continue to see people being diagnosed at this rate then the consequences will be disastrous,” said Barbara Young, Diabetes UK chief executive.