As the country is hit by its fifth heatwave of the year, Prime Minister Andy Burnham chairs a government emergency committee meeting on Wednesday. The heat-related death toll has risen to nearly 2,900, and millions face water restrictions.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called an emergency meeting of the government's emergency committee for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to consider measures to combat extreme heat, wildfires, and drought. This decision comes as the United Kingdom faces its fifth heatwave of the year, with the situation further exacerbated by a record dry spell.
Downing Street has confirmed that key officials will gather at the meeting to coordinate a response to a crisis threatening public health, water supplies, and agriculture. "We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of communities, protect water supplies, support farming communities, and safeguard the environment," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The Met Office warned on Tuesday that temperatures could reach around 37°C in southern and eastern England, as well as parts of the Midlands, from Thursday, August 13. This is the latest in a series of heatwaves that have marked the summer of 2026, which scientists say are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
The consequences are already dramatic. UK health authorities reported last month that an estimated 2,877 people have died this year from heat-related causes. The prolonged dry weather, which scientists directly link to climate change, has severely impacted agriculture, public water supplies, and wildlife.
Almost all of Britain is currently experiencing a so-called "flash drought," caused by a combination of extremely low rainfall and high temperatures. The Met Office has confirmed that England and Wales have just recorded their driest July in 190 years. According to government data, around 45 million people live in drought-affected areas, with 27 million facing restrictions on water use.
Meanwhile, fire services are reporting an alarming rise in outdoor fires. Fire chiefs have reported responding to 966 fires in England and Wales this year, 185 of which occurred in the first ten days of August alone. The agricultural sector has already warned of a significant drop in production due to the extreme weather conditions.
