UK Prime Minister Chairs Emergency Talks as Deadly Heatwave and Drought Grip Nation

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is chairing an urgent COBRA meeting today as Britain faces its fifth heatwave this summer, with heat-related deaths soaring past 2,800. The country is grappling with widespread wildfires and a severe drought, leading to amber 'extreme heat' warnings and forecasts of temperatures up to 38°C. This emergency session marks the second time this year that the government's crisis committee has convened to address the escalating extreme weather. This year is on track to be the UK's hottest summer on record, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reporting 2,877 heat-associated deaths from May and June alone, nearly doubling the figure for the entire summer of 2025. Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, impacting some 45 million people, with 27 million already facing water restrictions after the driest July in 190 years. The economic toll is mounting, with estimates suggesting a £4.4 billion hit to output by the end of July due to reduced productivity and strained services across various sectors. The emergency COBRA session will see ministers and agencies discuss immediate responses, including Prime Minister Burnham's call for retailers to halt sales of disposable barbecues to curb the spread of wildfires. Longer-term, the focus shifts to climate adaptation and protecting vulnerable populations, as experts from the Met Office and other scientific bodies warn that without significant action, these extreme weather events, fueled by climate change, will become the new normal. The National Health Service (NHS) has been urged to prepare for heatwave with the same urgency as it does for winter crises.