UK heatwave: Government to hold emergency Cobra meeting ahead of ‘extreme’ temperature surge

Contingency measures are ready to be enacted, PM spokesperson says

An emergency meeting of the government’s Cobra group is set to meet tonight to discuss how to tackle the heatwave currently gripping the UK.

The Met Office has predicted record-breaking temperatures early next week, as high as 35C in some parts of the UK, with warnings it could put lives at risk.

The forecaster has issued a three day amber alert for ‘extreme heat’ from Sunday, and there are concerns the heatwave could push the NHS to ‘tipping point’.

Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse will chair the meeting on Thursday evening. The prime minister’s official spokesman said the move was a “progression” of the “significant work “ that had already been done to prepare but shared little in the way of specifics.

The Met Office’s ‘amber’ warning that extreme heat poses a ‘danger to life’ is in force between Sunday and Tuesday (Met Office)

The spokesman said that there were a number of contingency measures which have been enacted or are ready to be enacted, adding that there were “tried and tested” plans in the NHS for increasing staffing in relevant areas.

“There have already been some co-ordination meetings at official level across government,” the spokesman said.

The Met Office has predicted record-breaking temperatures are on the cards early next week, (PA)

“This is a progression of that to ensure that - as we come into what are predicted to be the hottest days - that the necessary mitigations and actions are in place or being but in place.

“A lot of this is making sure the public are aware of the advice that is available - particularly those with young children or vulnerable family members.”

As parts of southeast England sweltered at 31C on Tuesday, the Met Office issued an updated amber extreme heat warning covering 17 and 18 July for much of England and Wales. This was then expanded to include 19 July.

Kit Malthouse will be chairing the meeting (PA Wire)

The government has warned that the heatwave is straining the NHS to a degree not usually seen outside of winter months, and the UK Health Security Agency has issued an extreme heat warning in England this week.

Follow the latest coverage of UK weather news here.

MET OFFICE OUTLOOK

Today:

Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England sunny spells and showers, some heavy. Showers tending to fade from the west later. Elsewhere dry, fine and largely sunny. Still warm or very warm in the south, but temperatures near average elsewhere.

Tonight:

Showers in the north dying out, to leave clear spells before further cloud and showery rain arrives from the west. Dry, fine and clear elsewhere.

Friday:

Cloud and occasional rain in the north will be replaced by sunny intervals and showers, some heavy. Showers dying out from the west later. Dry, with warm sunny spells elsewhere

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Cloudy with some rain/showers for northern areas at first. Elsewhere, dry with spells of sunshine and becoming very warm or hot by day, with warm nights. Cooler near coasts.