Workers across Britain are steeling themselves for another bout of sweltering conditions today after France recorded its hottest day on record. The mercury in southern France hit a staggering 45.9 degrees Celsius, breaking national records and sending a stark warning that this heatwave is not just uncomfortable but dangerous. For British households already squeezed by rising energy bills and stagnant wages, the extreme weather presents a fresh set of challenges: higher cooling costs, disrupted transport, and the threat of lost wages for those who cannot work in the heat.
As the continent swelters, forecasters predict that the heat plume will drift north, pushing temperatures in southern England and the Midlands above 35 degrees by the weekend. While the Met Office has not yet issued an official heatwave warning, emergency services are on standby. But for many, the immediate concern is not the thermometer but the bank balance.
Yvonne Carter, a delivery driver from Birmingham, told me yesterday: ‘I can’t afford to take a day off, even if it’s 40 degrees. The air con in my van is broken, and I can’t afford to fix it. My boss says if I don’t deliver, I don’t get paid.’ Yvonne’s story is not unique. Across the country, low-paid workers in construction, logistics, and hospitality are being forced to choose between their health and their income. The Trades Union Congress has called for an urgent review of workplace temperature limits, which currently mean there is no legal maximum working temperature. ‘This is a health crisis waiting to happen,’ said TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak. ‘Ministers must act to protect workers from extreme heat.’
The heatwave also exposes regional inequalities. While London and the South East may have better infrastructure and air conditioning, the North and Midlands often lack the same investment. In places like Manchester and Leeds, many workers rely on buses and trams that are not air-conditioned, turning commutes into suffocating ordeals. Public sector buildings, from schools to hospitals, were built for a cooler climate. The National Education Union has warned that classrooms without ventilation or cooling could harm children’s learning and wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the cost of keeping cool is rising. Electricity prices, already high after last year’s energy crisis, are expected to spike as millions switch on fans and portable units. For families on prepayment meters, this can mean a choice between cooling and eating. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation calculates that a low-income household could spend an extra £30 a week on electricity during a heatwave — a significant sum when budgets are already stretched.
In the longer term, these heatwaves are not going away. Scientists say climate change will make them more frequent and intense. This government has faced criticism for its slow progress on climate adaptation, including insulating homes and upgrading public infrastructure. The real economy — the one where people live and work — is being hit first and hardest. The price of bread, the cost of a train ticket, the strength of a union: these are the measures that matter when the thermometer rises.
As France counts the cost of its record day, Britain should take note. Our workers, our families, our communities deserve more than just a weather warning. They need action: on wages, on workplace safety, on energy bills, and on the climate itself. The heat is on — and not just in the skies.
