UK records hottest day of the year

The UK has officially experienced its hottest day of 2026, with a temperature of 38.1C recorded in London at Kew Gardens. Responding for Friends of the Earth, head of campaigns Rosie Downes, said:

“Many of us will be struggling in today's record-breaking heat. But for some it goes beyond discomfort – people with health conditions for whom high temperatures are deadly, those living in some of the most heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods, which we know are disproportionately people of colour and those on low incomes. And the workers – from medical professionals to bus drivers – doing their best in conditions no one should have to work through.

“Our polling published today shows 87% of people think the UK is unprepared for extreme weather like the heat we’re seeing. You don’t get such strong public consensus unless you’ve got a major problem on your hands. The public can see it, why won’t the Prime Minister treat the need to adapt to our changing climate like the emergency it is – or even use the words ‘climate change’?

“This is a critical moment for the Prime Minister to step up – he must acknowledge the biting reality before us. That means rolling out measures to help our communities adapt to the climate impacts that can no longer be avoided, alongside cutting the emissions fuelling the crisis in the first place. Of course, that can only mean no more North Sea oil and gas.”

ENDS

Notes:

1. New polling conducted by YouGov on behalf of Friends of the Earth, published today, reveals that:

• 87% of people think the UK is unprepared for extreme weather events, including heat and drought
• 79% of people support a maximum workplace temperature limit
• 52% of people say they’d prefer the government to tackle climate adaptation and efforts to cut carbon emissions simultaneously, compared to prioritising one or the other
• Nearly half of respondents (49%) say they have become more concerned for the welfare of friends and family as a result of this summer’s consecutive heatwaves. This compares to just 1% who feel less concerned and 45% who say they feel no difference. However, this includes 19% who say they were concerned about the health and wellbeing of loved ones already. 

For more information about the polling, including a link to the full data set and details about how the polling was conducted, the story can be viewed on the Friends of the Earth website.