Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday in response to extreme heat that has sparked wildfires and left parts of Britain in drought, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C on Thursday.
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Key facts
- Andy Burnham chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday over extreme heat.
- Temperatures of 33C were forecast on Wednesday, rising to up to 38C on Thursday.
- The heat has caused wildfires and drought across parts of Britain.
- Burnham urged retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues after the meeting.
- The UK is facing its fifth heatwave of the summer, according to the Guardian.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat that has caused wildfires and plunged many parts of Britain into drought, according to the Guardian. He met with ministers, officials and agencies as high temperatures continued across the UK.
Temperatures of 33C were forecast on Wednesday afternoon, with highs of up to 38C expected on Thursday. The Guardian reported that parts of the country are facing the fifth heatwave of the summer, while the Met Office issued an extreme heat warning.
The Guardian reported that the heat has stretched emergency services as wildfires spread. After the Cobra meeting, Burnham urged retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues, and warned that the extreme heat conditions ‘could be with us for some time yet.’
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said the NHS must prepare for regular heatwaves, planning ahead in the same way it does for winter crises, the Guardian reported.
A freedom of information request revealed that just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the part of government tasked with protecting the environment and maintaining food security, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian’s environment editor Damian Carrington also published an explainer noting that Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average, with shifting weather patterns, Arctic warming, declining snow cover and reduced air pollution all contributing alongside greenhouse gas emissions. The Liberal Democrats and Green party offered comments on the Cobra meeting.
Why it matters
Convening Cobra, normally reserved for national crises, signals that extreme heat is being treated as a serious emergency in the UK. The response raises questions about how well the NHS, emergency services and government are prepared for heatwaves that experts say are becoming more frequent as Europe warms.
Frequently asked questions
Who chaired the Cobra emergency meeting?
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired the emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday, meeting with ministers, officials and agencies, according to the Guardian.
How hot is it expected to get?
Temperatures of 33C were forecast on Wednesday, rising to up to 38C on Thursday, with the Met Office issuing an extreme heat warning.
What action did Burnham call for after the meeting?
After the Cobra meeting, Burnham urged retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues and warned the extreme heat conditions could persist for some time.
Timeline
- UK politics: Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues after emergency Cobra meeting – as it happened
The Guardian World: PM warns extreme heat conditions ‘could be with us fo some time yet’ Just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the part of government tasked with protecting the environment and maintaining food security, a freed
- Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues after emergency Cobra meeting – UK politics live
The Guardian World: PM warns extreme heat conditions ‘could be with us fo some time yet’ Just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the part of government tasked with protecting the environment and maintaining food security, a freed
- Cooper warns NHS must prepare for regular heatwaves as Burnham holds emergency Cobra meeting – UK politics live
The Guardian World: Health secretary says service must plan ahead in the same way as it does for winter crises as UK faces its fifth heatwave of the summer Just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the part of government tasked wit
- UK heatwave live: Met Office issues extreme heat warning as government convenes emergency Cobra meeting
The Guardian World: Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week The Guardian’s environment editor Damian Carrington has put together this explainer on why Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average, with shifting weather patterns, Arctic w
- Andy Burnham to chair emergency Cobra meeting amid extreme heat
The Guardian World: High temperatures continue across UK with 38C forecast on Thursday and wildfires stretching emergency services Andy Burnham will chair an emergency Cobra meeting in response to extreme heat, which has caused wildfires and plunged many parts of Britain into drought. The prime mini
- UK extreme heat prompts Cobra emergency meeting
The Guardian World: High temperatures continue with forecasts reaching 38C on Thursday and wildfires stretching emergency services The prime minister will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat, which has caused wildfires and plunged many parts of B