A Downing Street spokesperson stated, “We acknowledge the significant challenges this summer presents, particularly for firefighters battling wildfires, farmers contending with drought, and NHS staff in busy A&E units. We will persist in taking necessary actions to ensure community safety, protect water resources, support agricultural communities, and preserve the environment.”
Britons are preparing for their fifth heatwave of 2026, with some temperatures expected to surpass 36°C. The Met Office has indicated that this summer is on track to be the U.K.’s hottest on record.
Currently, over two-thirds of England is experiencing drought, following the driest July since records began in 1836. Wales is entirely in drought, and more than 27 million people across the U.K. are subject to water restrictions, including hosepipe bans.
The U.K. is contending with wildfires, such as those at the New Forest national park in southern England. The National Fire Chiefs Council responded to 458 wildfires last month, marking its busiest month on record.
‘Snail’s pace’
The Green Party initially called for a COBR meeting weeks ago following a wildfire in Suffolk, eastern England. Green Leader Zack Polanski commented that Wednesday’s meeting is “only a first step. This is a climate emergency resulting in hundreds of deaths and placing significant strain on our firefighters, healthcare workers, and agricultural sector. Immediate concrete action is essential.”
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