As a brutal heatwave descends on the UK, with temperatures forecast to exceed 35°C in parts of England, experts are urging the government to install air conditioning in schools and care homes. The call comes as homeowners can apply for £2,500 grants under the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme to install air-to-air heat pumps that can cool homes, but installers warn of months-long delays due to accreditation issues.
The scheme, which offers government grants for green energy upgrades, was expanded on 28 April to include cooling systems. However, installers are still awaiting accreditation, meaning the grants may not be available until late summer. Critics argue that vulnerable settings like schools and care homes should be prioritised for cooling installations to protect occupants during extreme heat events.
Meanwhile, the government has announced the expansion of Martha’s Rule to all maternity settings in England, giving families 24/7 access to a second opinion if they are concerned about a mother or baby’s deteriorating condition. The rule, already rolled out in acute hospitals, aims to prevent harm by ensuring families can request a rapid review.
In other health news, a study by Columbia University found that taking five-minute “movement snack” breaks every hour boosts wellbeing and productivity without disrupting work. The study, which surveyed over 11,000 US employees, found that hourly walks improved mood and alertness, while breaks every 30 minutes were too disruptive. Emily McGrath of the British Heart Foundation supported the findings but noted the study relied on self-reported data and was short-term.
As the heatwave intensifies, London and other cities face losing up to one in seven on-street parking spaces due to increasing car sizes, according to analysis by Transport and Environment. The think-tank warned that “oversized” SUVs are dominating streets not designed for them, leading to reduced parking capacity and safety risks. The heatwave is being sustained by an omega block weather pattern, which traps warm air between two cooler systems, raising questions about the role of climate change in such events.
