Prime Minister Andy Burnham has convened the first COBRA meeting of his premiership, responding to the extreme heat conditions affecting the UK. The emergency committee will gather on Wednesday, with Mr Burnham chairing the session to coordinate the government's response.
The meeting will include ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Home Office, and the Department for Health, alongside the Environment Agency. This marks the second COBRA meeting on extreme heat this summer, following an earlier session in June before Mr Burnham succeeded Sir Keir Starmer.
Government's Response to Heatwave
A No 10 spokesperson confirmed the meeting's purpose, stating: "The Prime Minister will chair a meeting of COBR – the government emergency committee – this afternoon on the UK’s ongoing response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought." The spokesperson acknowledged the challenging summer, particularly for firefighters, farmers, and NHS staff, and pledged continued action to protect communities, water supplies, and the environment.
The Met Office has issued an Amber Extreme Heat warning, with temperatures likely to peak around 37°C in some areas. The warning remains in force through much of Thursday, covering parts of southern and eastern England, as well as parts of the Midlands.
Met Office Forecast and Impacts
Met Office Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer explained the forecast: "While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued." He added that high pressure is building, with southerly winds drawing hot air from Europe, intensifying the heat in an already dry summer.
Deputy Chief Forecaster David Oliver noted that while Thursday will be the peak, some warmth will persist in the south and southeast on Friday, before easing more widely on Saturday as cooler air spreads from the northwest.
The COBRA meeting underscores the government's priority on public safety amid the heatwave, with coordinated efforts across departments to manage the impacts on health, agriculture, and emergency services.
