UK weather - live: Trains cancelled and people urged to stay home as 42C heat forecast

People are being advised not to travel on public transport unless “absolutely necessary” as services will be reduced due to the heatwave of up to 40°C forecast for the next few days.

It comes after the Met Office issued amber and red alerts warning of “potential serious illness or danger to life”.

Transport for London (TfL) boss Andy Lord told LBC that there will be reduced services across the network “because of the safety restrictions we need to put in place due to the heat.”

London North East Railway (LNER) tweeted: “On Tuesday July 19, DO NOT TRAVEL between London Kings Cross and south of York & Leeds, as no trains will run. Only travel if necessary to other destinations.”

Avanti West Coast said passengers should travel only if “absolutely necessary” from Sunday until Tuesday as there will be fewer services and possible delays due to “Network Rail-imposed speed restrictions.”

During very hot weather, train speed has to be limited to reduce the risk of damaging the tracks, which can buckle in extreme cases.

Meanwhile, BBC Weather presenter and meteorologist Simon King has pointed out that temperatures could reach 42°C in the East Midlands on Tuesday – tweeting that this level of heat “just shouldn’t happen.”

Key points

• TfL and train firms advise against travel

• Amber and red alerts warn of ‘potential health effects or danger to life’

• Police warn against open water swimming after teen’s death

• Job centres to be closed in areas issued amber and red alerts

What are your rights to legally leave work if it’s too hot?

08:34 , Joe Middleton

Summer in the UK usually means one thing: heatwaves.

British summertime is long-awaited after our lengthy cold winters, and yet we never seem to be properly prepared for the inevitable heatwave (or heatwaves if we’re lucky).

This week the Met Office has issued its first ever red warning for heat with temperatures expected to climb to between 38C and 40C in some parts of the country.

But how hot does it need to be before workers should be sent home by their employers?

Click the link below to find out:

What are your rights to legally leave work if it’s too hot?

Southern Rail warns people not to travel unless journey is ‘absolutely essential’

08:19 , Joe Middleton

Southern Rail warned commuters this morning to only travel if their journey was “absolutely essential”.

The train company also said they will be running a reduced service due to the severe weather conditions.

People should ‘take it easy’ during the heatwave but could go to the beach, suggests Malthouse

08:11 , Joe Middleton

People should “just take it easy” during the heatwave, and could go to the beach to avoid the worst of the “ferocious” heat, a Cabinet minister suggested.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse told Sky News: “If you are lucky enough not to be working today and you are going to the beach, obviously I know you will take lots of sun cream and water and an umbrella and all those kinds of things and be sensible. But we need to recognise that there are some people who will not cope well in the heat and what we want is for everybody to look out for them.

“Lots of people will go about their lives perfectly normally, for example we have said that schools should stay open and kids should go to school, very often they are safer in schools and kids need to learn and schools can look after them and hydrate them and keep them nice and cool.

“But we just need to be sensible, we have not seen this kind of heat before in this country.”

Mr Malthouse defended the idea that people could still go to the beach: “Some people may wish to. It will be cooler at the coast than it is at the centre of the country, particularly in the Midlands and in London.

“But what we are saying to people is that they need to take responsibility for themselves, recognise that this is a really ferocious heat that we haven’t seen in this country before and adapt their behaviour accordingly.”

Heatwaves are getting worse - what role does climate change play?

07:47 , Joe Middleton

As summer kicks into high gear, heatwaves have already gripped parts of the United States, Europe and South Asia with recording-breaking temperatures and deadly conditions.

In the past 100 years, heatwaves have become hotter and more frequent across the world, according to the latest report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global authority on climate science.

The average global temperature has risen roughly 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the Industrial Revolution began in the 19th century.

The IPCC is unequivocal about what’s causing this additional heat in the atmosphere: emissions created largely from humanity’s burning of fossil fuels.

Ethan Freedman reports.

Heatwaves are getting worse - what role does climate change play?

Monday night will be ‘very oppressive’, warns meteorologist

07:36 , Joe Middleton

Chief meteorologist at the Met Office Paul Davies warned Monday night will be “very oppressive” and it will be difficult to sleep in the heat.

The top forecaster said he was “really concerned” about the UK hitting 40 or 41C on Tuesday.

He told Sky News: “Tonight will be very oppressive, I mean it’s actually difficult sleeping conditions.

“And tomorrow is the day where we are really concerned about a good chance now of hitting 40 or 41C, and with that all the health conditions that come with those higher temperatures.”

Boy, 16, dies while swimming in open water amid the heatwave warnings

07:15 , Stuti Mishra

A teenage boy has died while swimming with friends in a canal in Manchester.The 16-year-old was seen struggling in the water at Salford Quays, in Greater Manchester, at around 6.15pm on Saturday.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called and a search was mounted. A boy’s body was located and recovered by specialist divers overnight.

As the record-breaking heatwave begins, the force said people need to avoid being tempted to cool off in reservoirs, rivers, canals or ponds.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more:

Boy, 16, dies while swimming with friends in Manchester canal

Heatwave dominates newspaper frontpages

07:00 , Stuti Mishra

Monday’s front pages are dominated by the heatwave, which is set to send temperatures soaring beyond 40C, prompting the government to declare a national heatwave emergency for the first time.

The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph carry fears of “meltdown Monday”, with The Independent adding that ministers have been urged to “take action to make Britain fit to cope with extreme heat”.

View more front pages:

What the papers say – July 18

Train companies urge people not to travel

06:43 , Stuti Mishra

More than a dozen train companies are urging Britons not to travel early next week as the UK’s first red extreme heat warning comes into force.

A total of 21 operators – ranging from Transport for Wales and Gatwick Express to the Transpennine Express and Southern – said they will be running a slower service on Monday and Tuesday after National Rail implemented speed restrictions across its network.

Speed restrictions are used by train companies during periods of hot weather to avoid any damage being made to the tracks and to prevent rails from buckling.

Read more:

Train companies urge people not to travel during heatwave

Water companies report supply issues

06:25 , Stuti Mishra

Water providers are experiencing supply issues due to the hot weather, with some reporting lower pressure levels and others warning of further disruption.

Affinity Water said the heat is resulting in lower water pressure in areas such as London, Essex and Surrey.

The company urged customers to avoid non-essential water usage and said it predicts an extra 164 million litres of water will be needed on Monday compared to normal demand.

Read more:

Water companies report supply issues as heatwave causes demand to soar

Editorial: We must take this heatwave seriously – even if the prime minister won’t

06:06 , Stuti Mishra

“Unaccustomed as the British are to such hot weather, the heatwave will undoubtedly bring with it an unwelcome increase in sunstroke and heat exhaustion. It is only to be expected.

It is an unprecedented phenomenon in modern times (no doubt when dinosaurs roamed Surrey it was situation normal), and there’s a natural tendency to get out and enjoy it while it lasts. Before very much longer, of course, the inhabitants of the UK will be shivering in their poorly insulated Victorian terraces and inter-war mock Tudor semis in fear of the gas bill.”

Read more:

Editorial: We must take this heatwave seriously – even if the prime minister won’t

London ‘will be hotter than Caribbean and Sahara’ amid emergency alert

05:21 , Stuti Mishra

London is set to be 38C amid the heatwave warning, hotter than the Caribbean, the Western Sahara and popular holiday destinations in Europe.

The rise in temperatures has forced the UK Health Security Agency to issue a level 4 heat-health alert – described as an “emergency” – while the Met Office has issued the UK’s first red extreme heat warning, with both running from Monday to Wednesday.

Read more:

London ‘will be hotter than Caribbean and Sahara’ amid emergency alert

What is a heatwave?

03:49 , Stuti Mishra

The Met Office defines a heatwave as “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity”.

The UK experiences occasional heatwaves but these are less frequent and intense than those seen elsewhere around the world.

A record was broken in summer 2019 with a maximum temperature of 38.7C recorded at Cambridge University Botanic Garden on 25 July.

Read more here:

What is a heatwave?

NHS braced for surge in patients as ‘danger to life’ heatwave warning comes into force

03:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The NHS is bracing itself for a surge in the numbers of people admitted to hospital as the heatwave which is forecast to bring record temperature to the UK grips the country.

Extra measures are being enforced for ambulance services after the Met Office issued amber and red alerts.

The Met Office has issued the UK’s first ever red alert across a large part of England – from London to Manchester and York – as record-breaking temperatures are forecast for early next week, writes Lamiat Sabin.

NHS braced for surge in number of patients amid ‘danger to life’ heatwave warning

Britons should ‘enjoy the sunshine,’ says Dominic Raab amid warnings people will die due to extreme heat

02:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britons should “enjoy the sunshine” during the heatwave, Dominic Raab has said, despite warnings the extreme temperatures could cause thousands of deaths.

The deputy prime minister said people should be “resilient” as temperatures are set to skyrocket to 40C on Monday and Tuesday, writes Joe Middleton.

“Obviously there is some common sense practical advice we are talking about – stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at the hottest times, wear sun cream – those sorts of things,” he told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme.

Britons should ‘enjoy the sunshine,’ says Raab amid warnings of extreme heat

ICYMI- Boris Johnson skips heatwave crisis meeting to ‘host Chequers party’

01:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Boris Johnson skipped a crisis meeting on the looming life-threatening heatwave apparently to host a party at his luxury Chequers rural retreat.

Ministers and experts gathered in the Cabinet Office on Saturday afternoon for a Cobra meeting to prepare for temperatures hitting an unprecedented 40C on Monday.

But the prime minister was 30 miles away in Buckinghamshire at a get together for friends and family, ahead of being kicked out of his country retreat at the start of September, writes Rob Merrick.

Boris Johnson skips heatwave crisis meeting to ‘host Chequers party’

Use these effective tips to help handle the heatwave if you don’t have AC

Monday 18 July 2022 00:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

As the heatwave approaches, it’s important to know how to keep your home cool, especially if you do not have air-conditioning.

From closing your windows during the day to building your own DIY AC, here is what you can do to lower the temperature in your home.

How to keep your house cool in a heatwave

Concerns for welfare of someone in the water

Sunday 17 July 2022 22:25 , Katy Clifton

Emergency services launched a search after receiving reports of concern for the welfare on a male seen in a river in Northumberland on Sunday.

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.12pm this afternoon to reports of concerns for someone in the water off Piper Road in Ovingham.

“We currently have seven resources on scene but are currently unable to provide any further information.”

Northumbria Police tweeted: “Shortly before 4.15pm today we received a report of concern for the welfare of a male who was seen in the river near to Ovingham.

“Emergency services were deployed to the area and remain at the scene to locate the male and bring him to safety.

“There is a large multi-agency presence in the area and we would ask the public to not to gather and avoid the area where possible.”

Government urged to act now

Sunday 17 July 2022 21:30 , Katy Clifton

Ministers have been urged to take action to make Britain fit to cope with extreme heat as the country faces temperatures above 40C for the first time.

Richard Millar, head of adaptation at the Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, told The Independent around 2,000 people die each year due to heat-related injury and illness in the UK but that could rise to around 7,000 by mid-century if the government doesn’t act urgently to adapt to climate change.

Read more below:

Government ‘must act now’ to protect against extreme heat as UK braces for 40C

Truss and Sunak’s view on net zero target

Sunday 17 July 2022 21:00 , Katy Clifton

Meanwhile, foreign secretary Liz Truss said she backed the target, but “we need to deliver it in a way that doesn’t harm people and businesses”, highlighting her plan for a moratorium on the green levy on energy bills.

Rishi Sunak backed the target, saying it was about the inheritance left to children and grandchildren. “But we need to bring people with us and if we go too hard and too fast then we will lose people and that’s no way to get there,” he said.

Tory rivals on climate targets

Sunday 17 July 2022 20:30 , Katy Clifton

As temperatures prepare to hit record levels, over in the Tory leadership debate this evening Penny Mordaunt has she is committed to the target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, but “it mustn’t clobber people”.

Tom Tugendhat told the ITV debate he was committed to “making sure we deliver the nuclear reactors to keep us green”, supporting carbon capture and storage projects and changing “the way we do wind farms” so they can be delivered more quickly.

Kemi Badenoch said the 2050 target was for a time when none of them would be in office “to be accountable for it”.

“If there are things in the plan that will bankrupt this country, I will change them, if there are things in the plan that will make life difficult for ordinary people, I will change them,” she said. “I do believe in climate change, but we have to do it in a way that is sustainable.”

Water providers suffer supply issues

Sunday 17 July 2022 20:04 , Katy Clifton

Water providers are experiencing supply issues due to the hot weather, with some reporting lower pressure levels and others warning of further disruption.

Affinity Water said the heat is resulting in lower water pressure in areas such as London, Essex and Surrey.

The company urged customers to avoid non-essential water usage and said it predicts an extra 164 million litres of water will be needed on Monday compared to normal demand.

“Because of the hot weather, many of us are using much more water,” the provider said.

“This means you may notice lower pressure or no water when demand is higher in your area.”

How hot does it have to be to legally leave work?

Sunday 17 July 2022 19:00 , Katy Clifton

Temperatures are set to soar above 40C in the coming days, but how hot does it need to be before workers should be sent home by their employers?

Take a look at all you need to know below:

Can you legally leave work if it becomes too hot?

Travel warnings

Sunday 17 July 2022 18:30 , Katy Clifton

London North Eastern Railway has urged people not to travel on Tuesday.

“On Tuesday July 19, DO NOT TRAVEL between #LondonKingsCross and south of #York & #Leeds, as no trains will run,” it said in a tweet.

“Only travel if necessary to other destinations.”

People who have already bought tickets are urged to visit the LNER website for information about refunds.

UK weather: What is a national heatwave emergency?

Sunday 17 July 2022 18:00 , Lamiat Sabin

A national emergency is declared when a heatwave is so severe and, or prolonged that its impacts extend beyond the health sector, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Transport, food and businesses could also be affected and it could cause power or water shortages, according to the agency whose job it is to protect the population from health threats.

A national emergency can also be declared when the “integrity of the health and social care systems is threatened”.

Read more from our climate correspondent Saphora Smith

All you need to know about national heatwave emergency

Sun-day beach fun – in pictures

Sunday 17 July 2022 17:00 , Lamiat Sabin

People urged to take precautions in Ireland

Sunday 17 July 2022 16:30 , Katy Clifton

Meanwhile in Ireland, people are being advised to take precautions as a three-day heat warning has come into effect.

The Status Yellow alert began at 6am on Sunday and will last until 9pm on Tuesday, with temperatures of up to 32C possible in places on Monday.

The Met Eireann weather warning stated: “On Sunday and Monday exceptionally warm weather will occur over Ireland with daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees and possibly up to 32 degrees in places on Monday.

“Night time temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees.”

ICYMI: People should ‘enjoy the sunshine,’ says deputy PM

Sunday 17 July 2022 16:00 , Lamiat Sabin

In case you missed it...

Britons should “enjoy the sunshine” during the heatwave, Dominic Raab has said, despite warnings that extreme temperatures could cause thousands of deaths.

The deputy prime minister said people should be “resilient” as temperatures are set to skyrocket to 40C on Monday and Tuesday.

Read the full story here by Joe Middleton

Britons should ‘enjoy the sunshine,’ says Raab amid warnings of extreme heat

Job centres to be closed in areas issued amber and red alerts

Sunday 17 July 2022 15:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Job centres in most of the country will be closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the record temperatures expected during the heatwave.

The Department of Work and Pensions tweeted: “Jobcentres and health assessment offices open to customers in areas issued with a red severe weather warning will be closed on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.

“Benefit payments will be made as normal.

“You don't need to contact us or worry about your claim.

“We will make every effort to contact people with an appointment on those days, to have it over the telephone or rearrange. Our enquiry lines will still be open.”

The map below shows where the Met Office’s amber and red weather warnings apply:

TfL and train firms advise against travel

Sunday 17 July 2022 14:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Transport for London (TfL) and London North East Railway (LNER) have urged people to undertake only necessary travel over the next few days.

TfL boss Andy Lord told LBC that there will be reduced services across the network “because of the safety restrictions we need to put in place due to the heat.”

LNER tweeted: “On Tuesday July 19, DO NOT TRAVEL between LondonKingsCross and south of#York & Leeds, as no trains will run. Only travel if necessary to other destinations.”

Avanti West Coast said passengers should travel only if “absolutely necessary” from Sunday until Tuesday as there will be fewer services and possible delays due to “Network Rail-imposed speed restrictions.”

During very hot weather, the speed of trains has to be limited to reduce the risk of damaging the tracks, which can buckle in extreme cases.

Passengers who have already bought tickets are advised to visit the companies’ websites for information about refunds.

Mercury could reach 42C in East Midlands - BBC forecaster

Sunday 17 July 2022 14:00 , Lamiat Sabin

BBC Weather presenter and meteorologist Simon King has pointed out that temperatures could reach 42°C in the East Midlands on Tuesday.

This is 3°C more than the maximum of 40°C predicted for London on what is expected to be the UK’s hottest day on record.

Mr King tweeted: “Still can’t fathom how the U.K. record will be exceeded on Monday and again on Tuesday by at least 2/3 degrees (38.7°C). Just shouldn’t happen.”

Manchester police warn against open water swimming after teen’s death

Sunday 17 July 2022 13:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have repeated warnings about cooling off in open water after a 16-year-old died while swimming with friends in a canal in Salford Quays.

The teenager was last seen struggling in the water at around 6.15pm on Saturday. After emergency services were called, a boy’s body was later located and recovered by specialist divers overnight.

Police said that, although formal identification has not yet taken place, the body is believed to be that of the missing 16-year-old and that his family is being supported by specially-trained officers.

‘Crumbling’ NHS buildings ‘unsuitable for heatwave,’ says crossbench peer

Sunday 17 July 2022 13:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Lord Victor Adebowale has voiced his concerns over hospital and GP buildings being able to cope with the extreme heat over the next few days.

The crossbench peer and chairman of the NHS Confederation told Times Radio: “The fact of the matter is we have crumbling buildings. We’ve had 10 years of austerity, in which hospitals have not been invested in terms of capital buildings.

“So if you talk to my members, they will tell you in many cases we’ve got buildings that are unsuited to deal with the normal business of getting patients treated in and out, let alone in the hot weather where some of these buildings were built in the 18th century.

“It’s not just hospitals, I need to mention primary care GPs. Many of them are in old buildings where they don’t have proper air conditioning or fans.

“We’ve got mental health systems which are going to be really stretched already because of vacancies. So we need to pay attention to this.”

‘Children should be in school during heatwave,’ says Labour frontbencher

Sunday 17 July 2022 12:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said children should be in school rather than at home on what are expected to be the hottest days in the UK on record.

Her comments come after a number of schools are reportedly closing on Monday and Tuesday until the weather cools.

Ms Phillipson was asked if she would support parents who decide to keep their children off school on those days.

The Labour MP told Sophy Ridge On Sunday on Sky News: “I am sure that headteachers will be doing everything they possibly can to make sure their schools are kept as cool as possible, that children are kept out of the hot sun and are kept indoors as much as possible.

“I think children have missed out quite a lot already in terms of their education and it’s right for them to be there.”

‘Ferocious heatwave could kill people, says head of paramedics’ assocation

Sunday 17 July 2022 12:00 , Lamiat Sabin

The “ferocious heat” over the UK over the next few days could result in people dying, the chief executive of the College of Paramedics has warned.

Tracy Nicholls told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “This isn’t like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside.

“This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in people’s deaths because it is so ferocious. We’re just not set up for that sort of heat in this country.”

‘Enjoy sunshine but use common sense,’ deputy PM Dominic Raab says

Sunday 17 July 2022 11:02 , Lamiat Sabin

People should “enjoy the sunshine” and be “resilient enough” during the coming days of the heatwave, deputy prime minister Dominic Raab said.

The Met Office has issued amber and red alerts warning of “potential serious illness or danger to life” as temperatures reach a peak of up to 40C on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Raab told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “Obviously there is some common sense practical advice we are talking about – stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at the hottest times, wear sun cream – those sorts of things.

“We ought to enjoy the sunshine and actually we ought to be resilient enough through some of the pressures it will place.”

Put your PJs in the freezer, and other tips for getting to sleep in the heat

Sunday 17 July 2022 10:00 , Lamiat Sabin

A health expert has shared advice on how to drop off to sleep during the record-breaking temperatures expected over the next few days.

Julie Gooderick, an “extreme environments” expert at the University of Brighton, said the ideal room temperature for sleeping is around 18-21C.

Air-conditioning units would easily reduce the temperature of a room – but not everyone can, or is willing, to run the devices in their homes.

Using fans, opening windows at night, and keeping the curtains closed during the day will help prevent a room from getting too hot.

She also advises using a thin sheet instead of a duvet, using cooling pads on the skin, having a cold shower, or putting pyjamas in the freezer a few hours before bedtime to help cool down the body as much as possible.

Avoiding napping during the day will also help prevent sleeplessness at night, Ms Gooderick said.

Chafing chefs and boiling brewers: the hardest jobs to do in a heatwave

Sunday 17 July 2022 09:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Some jobs are tougher than others in the heat – especially when already dealing with scorching temperatures, like in a kitchen.

Trade unions have called for working from home to be allowed where possible and many companies have relaxed their dress codes.

But, of course, many jobs cannot be done from home and some become all the more taxing when the weather hots up.

Colin Drury has spoken to some essential workers about how they cope with working during a heatwave.

You can read his list here:

From chafing chef to boiling brewers: the hardest jobs to do in a heatwave

Police warn motorists never to leave pets in cars during heatwave

Sunday 17 July 2022 08:03 , Lamiat Sabin

Motorists should never leave their pets unattended in cars during hot weather.

This has been reiterated by Merseyside Police as temperatures are set to reach up to 40C over the coming days.

Using a string of emojis, the force warned that leaving pets in vehicles during heatwaves could lead to their deaths by overheating.

In the south of England, Thames Valley Police issued the same warning, adding that people should keep the windows of their cars and homes closed – when they go out – to minimise the risk of theft.

Amber and red alerts warn of ‘potential health effects or danger to life’

Sunday 17 July 2022 07:50 , Lamiat Sabin

An amber “extreme heat” alert has been issued by the Met Office for today, warning of “potential serious illness or danger to life”.

The alert applies to most of England and Wales, except the northern-most parts of England.

Over the coming days, it’s expected that the heatwave will reach its peak with temperatures of up to 41C.

This has triggered a red alert for Monday and Tuesday – when “exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures are likely”, the forecaster said.

Both the amber and red alerts warn that “population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.”

The Met Office adds: “Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required.

“Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents

“Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays.”

‘Cloud and patchy rain’ predicted across some northern areas on Sunday

Sunday 17 July 2022 06:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Schools to close early on Monday and Tuesday

Sunday 17 July 2022 06:31 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Schools have decided to send children home early on Monday and Tuesday following an extreme heat warning for early next week.

For most schools in England, the week beginning 18 July is the last few days of classes before the summer holidays begin.

However, due to the scorching weather, a growing number of schools have announced they will be finishing the final days of the academic year early to protect both students and staff.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.

UK heatwave: Schools to close early on Monday as extreme temperatures warned

Heath secretary pledges extra measures to tackle heatwave

Sunday 17 July 2022 05:04 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Health secretary Steve Barclay has pledged new measures, including extra working hours for ambulance crews, to tackle UK’s first national heatwave emergency.

“The clear message to the public is to take sensible steps in terms of water, shade and cover, which many people are aware of. That’s the best way of mitigating against the heat,” Mr Barclay was quoted by Sky News as saying.

“We’re asking people to keep an eye out for their neighbours and those who may be vulnerable. We’re also putting in additional contingency support as well.”

He added: “We’re putting in extra measures in terms of call handlers, support for fleet [and] extra hours of capacity within the ambulances. Each ambulance trust has well-developed contingency plans for extreme weather.”