UK PM Chairs COBRA Meeting as Heatwave Intensifies

KEY DEVELOPMENTS:

• UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is chairing a Cobra meeting as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 38C in parts of England.
• The UK has recorded a record number of days with temperatures above 30C, while wildfires and drought are increasing pressure on emergency services.
• Authorities have issued amber heat-health warnings, with nearly three-quarters of England now affected by drought conditions.

LONDON (BBC) — August 12, 2026: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is chairing an emergency Cobra meeting as another spell of extreme heat brings temperatures of up to 38C to parts of England, placing additional pressure on firefighters, farmers, health services and water supplies.

The meeting, being held on Wednesday, brings together ministers from the departments responsible for the environment, home affairs and health, along with the Environment Agency. It is the second Cobra meeting this year focused on extreme heat, following a similar meeting in June.

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The latest response comes as the UK experiences another period of unusually high temperatures. According to the Met Office, the country has recorded 35 days in 2026 in which the maximum daily temperature exceeded 30C, surpassing the previous annual record of 34 days set in 1995.

The Met Office’s amber heat warning covers a large swathe of England. CREDIT: BBC.

Temperatures are expected to rise further, with parts of the Midlands, eastern England, London and southeastern England forecast to experience temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s. The Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, when temperatures could reach 38C.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was aware of the pressure being placed on key public services.

“We know how challenging this summer is proving, particularly for firefighters tackling wildfires, farmers working in drought conditions, and NHS staff in busy A&E units,” the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson added: “We will continue to take the action needed to keep communities safe, protect water supplies and safeguard the environment.”

The heat is also contributing to wider pressures from wildfires and drought. Fire services have responded to hundreds of wildfire incidents this year, while authorities have warned of growing pressure on water resources.

Firefighters spray water onto burnt ground at a blaze on heathland in the New Forest National Park near Ringwood in Hampshire. Picture: Alamy.

The UK government has said national firefighting capabilities have been made available to support local crews and that funding has been allocated for firefighting equipment. Meanwhile, the government has reported that almost three-quarters of England is now in drought following prolonged dry conditions.

Health authorities have also issued amber heat-health alerts across England. The UK Health Security Agency’s warning system is designed to alert health and social-care services when temperatures are expected to pose significant risks to public health.

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The latest heat spell is expected to be relatively short-lived, with temperatures forecast to ease from the weekend. However, parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are also expected to experience temperatures above their usual mid-August levels, although western areas are likely to remain cooler because of cloud and Atlantic weather systems.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat-health alerts from Tuesday to Friday for nine regions in England. Picture: Getty.

The Met Office has previously warned that prolonged hot weather can pose risks to health and wellbeing, particularly when high temperatures persist over several days.

Authorities have urged people to follow heat-health guidance, stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat and check on older or otherwise vulnerable people during the hottest periods.

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