Millions Trapped in Uncoolable Homes Amidst UK Heatwave
Extreme temperatures force Britons into drastic measures as drought conditions persist and water demand surges across England and Wales.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Millions of people are reportedly trapped in homes they cannot cool, facing extreme heat this summer.
One in six Britons takes drastic action, including sleeping in kitchens, missing work, or booking hotels, to cope with the relentless heat.
Citizens Advice claims almost half, 44%, feel they lack basic control to stop their houses from overheating.
Those struggling to cope sleep in unconventional places like the garden or on a balcony; they take sick days, unpaid leave, annual leave, or pay for hotels.
England and Wales experienced the driest July on record, contributing to widespread drought conditions across swathes of England.
A bone-dry field in Kent resembles a Texas ranch due to the prolonged lack of rain; a young dairy herd crosses a scorched pasture near Ashford.
Water firms report a 30% increase in demand on the hottest days, leading to over 20 million households in parts of England and Wales being under hosepipe bans.
The heatwaves in May and June led to an estimated 2,700 excess deaths in England and Wales.
The Government has a vital opportunity to help fix this through the Warm Homes Plan.
London expects temperatures to reach highs of 22C on Thursday, 25C on Friday, 28C on Saturday, and 31C on Sunday.
The Met Office forecasts sunny spells and scattered showers across the UK on Thursday, with rain spreading eastwards across northern Scotland on Thursday night. Monday expects dry conditions for most, with very warm to hot temperatures.
Clare Moriarty stated, "The Government has a vital opportunity to help fix this through the Warm Homes Plan."
Moriarty added that by investing in better insulation, ventilation, and heat network upgrades, the government can ensure homes are warmer in winter and safer and cooler in summer.
A Government spokesman confirmed, "We are changing the rules so that for the first time ever people can access grants for air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat homes."
The spokesman also stated, "We are already taking action to strengthen protections for tenants experiencing dangerous overheating and ensuring new residential buildings are designed to minimise unwanted heat from the sun."