Europe is in the grip of a lethal heatwave that has broken temperature records in Germany and pushed Britain’s emergency services to the brink. The mercury hit 42.6C in the western German town of Duisburg on Thursday, surpassing the previous national record of 40.3C set in 2015. In Britain, the Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for the first time, covering large parts of England from Monday to Tuesday. Temperatures could reach 40C in some areas, with the prospect of 41C in London if the heatwave follows its predicted path.
The human cost is already mounting. In Germany, at least 10 people have died from heat-related causes, according to local authorities. Most were elderly or had underlying health conditions. Firefighters in Berlin have been called to more than 200 grass fires in the past week. In the UK, the NHS is bracing for a surge in heatstroke and respiratory emergencies. The government has activated its Cobra emergency committee for the first time in response to a heatwave.
This is not just another hot summer. Climate scientists are unequivocal: this is the direct result of a warming planet. The heatwave has been fuelled by a band of hot air from North Africa, but the baseline of global temperatures means such events are now more frequent and more intense. The UK’s record temperature of 38.7C, set in Cambridge in 2019, is now likely to be broken. The question is no longer if but when.
For ordinary people, this is a crisis of the real economy. Construction workers, delivery drivers and outdoor labourers are being told to stop work. The TUC is calling for a legal maximum workplace temperature of 30C or 27C for strenuous jobs. Many workplaces lack air conditioning or even adequate ventilation. For the millions of Britons who rely on public transport, the network is buckling under the strain. Train operators have imposed speed restrictions and warned of cancellations. The London Underground’s Central line has been suspended due to heat damage to tracks.
The cost of staying safe is rising. Fans, air conditioning units and portable coolers have flown off shelves. Retailers are reporting a 500% increase in demand for electric fans compared to last year. But for families already struggling with record energy bills, the extra electricity cost is a bitter pill. One mother from Leicester told me: “I want to keep my kids cool but I can’t afford to run the fan all day. And the fan doesn’t even help when it’s this hot.”
The government’s emergency plans include opening cooling centres in some cities and urging people to check on vulnerable neighbours. But critics say this is a sticking plaster. The response to extreme heat has been patchy and reactive. Unlike countries like France, which have had a heatwave plan since 2003, the UK still does not have a dedicated strategy for coping with rising temperatures. The Climate Change Committee has warned that this summer’s heatwave could be a dress rehearsal for what is to come.
Unions are demanding action. The GMB has called for a legally enforceable temperature cap in workplaces. The RMT is pushing for a “heatwave allowance” for transport workers who have to work in conditions that can exceed 40C on trains and platforms. The government has so far resisted, saying it prefers guidance over legislation. But for workers like James, a builder from Manchester, the guidance is not enough: “I can’t just down tools. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. The boss says drink water and take breaks, but there’s no shade on site. It’s dangerous, but what choice do I have?”
The heatwave is a stark reminder that climate change is not an abstract problem for future generations. It is here, now, and it is hitting the hardest those who have the least. The elderly, the sick, the poor, and the outdoor worker. As the mercury rises, the need for a comprehensive national heatwave strategy has never been more urgent. The new prime minister, whoever takes office, will inherit a country that is already burning.
In the meantime, the advice from health officials is simple: stay hydrated, stay out of the sun during peak hours, and look out for each other. But for many, staying safe is a luxury they cannot afford.
