Andy Burnham will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat, which has caused widespread wildfires and plunged many parts of the country into drought.
Second Cobra meeting this year
The Prime Minister will meet with ministers, officials and agencies as high temperatures continue across the UK on Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures of 33C forecast, and up to 38C on Thursday. Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Home Office, and Department for Health will attend. The Environment Agency will also be present.
It will be the second Cobra meeting this year on heatwaves, after one took place amid high temperatures in June.
Warnings and impact
On Tuesday, a firefighter union chief warned the country faces a “national emergency” amid ongoing wildfires. The Met Office said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record, as parts of the country face their fifth heatwave this summer.
Rare amber “extreme heat” warnings have been issued by the forecaster for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday.
Government response
The Government urged the public to pay attention to UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts, and advised people to drink plenty of fluids and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at high risk.
A No 10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of COBR – the Government emergency committee – this afternoon on the UK’s ongoing response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
“We know how challenging this summer is proving, particularly for firefighters tackling wildfires, farmers working in drought conditions, and NHS staff in busy A&E units.
“We will continue to take the action needed to keep communities safe, protect water supplies and safeguard the environment.”
