Andy Burnham is set to chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee today in response to the extreme heat that has sparked widespread wildfires and triggered drought conditions across many parts of the country.
The Prime Minister will convene with ministers, officials and agencies as the UK continues to swelter under high temperatures on Wednesday afternoon, with forecasts predicting 33C, and a scorching 38C expected on Thursday.
Government response and attendees
Representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Home Office, and Department for Health will be in attendance. The Environment Agency will also be present at the meeting.
This marks the second Cobra meeting this year focusing on heatwaves, following a previous one held during the high temperatures experienced in June. A spokesperson from Downing Street acknowledged that firefighters, farmers and NHS staff are all grappling with challenges linked to the weather.
National emergency warning
On Tuesday, a firefighter union chief issued a stark warning that the country is facing a "national emergency" due to the ongoing wildfires. According to the Met Office, the UK is on track for its hottest summer on record, as certain regions brace themselves for their fifth heatwave this season.
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. The Government urged the public to heed UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts, and recommended people should consume plenty of fluids and check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at heightened 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."
Forecast and wildfire impact
Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: "While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued."
"High pressure is now becoming dominant and temperatures will build day by day. Southerly and south-easterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe which helps develop this further notable heat in what has been a hot and dry summer so far for many in the south of the UK."
It comes as Steve Wright, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), warned the UK faces a national emergency "right now" with fires across the country. Firefighters have tackled 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including a staggering 185 in the first 10 days of August alone.
July was the busiest month on record for wildfires with 458 incidents, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
