Parts of the continent are wilting under an unprecedented heatwave today, as temperatures in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic smash historical records. In the UK, however, the mercury has barely nudged above average, leaving many to wonder if the 'jet stream curse' has struck again. For workers and families feeling the pinch of a cost-of-living crisis, this weather divergence is more than a mere curiosity: it deepens the sense of a country out of step with its neighbours.
In Berlin, thermometers hit 39.5°C, the hottest August day on record. Dresden recorded 40.1°C. Copenhagen saw 35.6°C, a national record. The Czech Republic sweltered under 40.4°C. Yet in Manchester, it's 18°C and drizzling. For those struggling to heat homes last winter, the irony is bitter. The contrast is not just meteorological; it is economic. While German workers sweat it out in factories without air conditioning, British workers shiver on the picket line or at the kitchen table, worrying about energy bills.
The heatwave is a disaster for crops across central Europe, with drought warnings in place. That could push up food prices globally. For UK households already seeing double-digit inflation on basics, this is another worry. The Czech government has urged people to stay indoors. In Germany, trains were slowed for fear of tracks buckling. Denmark saw public pools packed. Meanwhile, the UK's relatively cool summer has dented hopes for a tourism boost. Staycation businesses report lower than expected trade.
Union leaders point out that heatwaves of this severity are becoming more common due to climate change, but the UK's infrastructure is not ready. Many workplaces lack cooling systems. Last year, the TUC called for a maximum working temperature of 30°C (27°C for strenuous jobs). Today, the contrast with Europe sharpens the question: why is the UK always the odd one out? Is it the jet stream? Yes. But also, investment in public buildings, schools, and hospitals has been low. There are few public cooling centres. The human cost is real.
For now, the UK breathes a sigh of relief. But for how long? Next week, forecasters predict a return to heat. And the underlying problems remain: low wages, high inflation, and a state that struggles to protect its citizens from extremes. The real story is not about who has the sunniest afternoon. It is about the vulnerability of ordinary people to forces beyond their control. Whether it is 40°C in Berlin or 18°C in Birmingham, the pressures on living standards are the same.
