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The Independent
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Amber heat health warnings issued across England — this is what it means
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the entire country. The alert is active from 12pm Thursday to 9am Monday, warning of a likely rise in deaths among vulnerable people. Temperatures are expected to reach 31C on Thursday and Friday, peaking at 33C on Saturday, with similar high temperatures on Sunday. All regions in England are at high risk, anticipating significant impacts across health and social care services. Charities including the British Heart Foundation, Age UK, and Dementia UK have provided advice for vulnerable groups, emphasizing hydration and checking on older relatives.
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Amber heat health alert issued for England with ‘rise in deaths likely'
A rare amber heat-health alert has been issued for the whole of England, with officials warning soaring temperatures mean a 'likely rise in deaths' among vulnerable people. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the amber heat-health alert for the entire country from 12pm Thursday to 9am Monday. The alert is the second highest, behind red, on the UKHSA's system, and it warned of the possible impacts on health and social services. The UKHSA's weather health alert system provides early warning to the health and social care sector when adverse temperatures are likely to impact the health and well-being of the population.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Britain sweats on the hottest day of the year: Temperatures of 32C (90F) today spark warnings for babies, the elderly and the vulnerable - and it's going to get even toastier this weekend
Britain has now entered an official heatwave with temperatures set to hit 32C today as health warnings were issued for babies, the elderly and other vulnerable people. The mercury has steadily risen in recent days with highs of 25.2C (77.4F) last Sunday, 26.7C (80.1F) on Monday, 27.9C (82.2F) on Tuesday and 29.3C (84.7F) yesterday. Now, thermometers are set to reach 32C (90F) today – which will be the hottest day of the year so far – before similar highs tomorrow and then 33C (91F) on Saturday. Friday and Saturday nights will be uncomfortable for sleeping, with temperatures possibly staying above 20C (68F) in places, which is known as a 'tropical night'. The heatwave is likely to officially end after Saturday, but the weather from Sunday into the middle of next week will stay warm with a range of 24C (75F) to 26C (79F). Yellow heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for most of England will run until Sunday evening after being activated at midday yesterday. The Government alerts warn of an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and cover all regions of England apart from the North East and North West. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas. The current warmest day of 2025 so far was last Friday when temperatures reached 29.4C (84.9F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk. That broke the previous record for the year which stood at 29.3C (84.7F), recorded on May 1 at Kew Gardens in London. But records are unlikely to be broken this week for the UK's highest temperature in June, which was 35.6C (96.1F) in Southampton during the famous heatwave of 1976. What is a heatwave? The Met Office defines a heatwave in the UK as three consecutive days where temperatures meet or exceed a specific threshold. These thresholds vary by region: 25C: Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, Wales and South West England 26 to 28C: Central and South Eastern England A temperature of 29.3C in London yesterday means the capital has now technically entered a heatwave, based on forecasts of 28C+ temperatures for today (32C) and tomorrow (31C). By Saturday, many areas, particularly in Wales, the West Midlands, and Somerset, are likely to hit the criteria. By Sunday, central and eastern England, and even parts of eastern Scotland, could also qualify. Meanwhile charities have issued warnings during this week's hot weather – with the British Heart Foundation encouraging people with heart conditions to minimise potential health risks. The charity's senior cardiac nurse Ruth Goss said: 'You can be at greater risk from the heat if you have a heart condition, as high temperatures can put extra strain on your heart. 'Elderly people and very young children have more difficulty regulating their temperature and so can be more at risk from extreme temperatures. 'In hot weather, check on your friends and relatives regularly to make sure they are cool and comfortable. 'The most important way you can protect your heart in the heat is to stay cool and keep hydrated.' In addition, Age UK has urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat. Caroline Abrahams, its charity director, said: 'The heat is expected to build during the week, becoming hottest at the weekend and as temperatures rise, those with long-term health conditions impacting their heart, lungs or kidneys can be at extra risk. 'Generally, our bodies find it harder to adapt to more extreme temperatures as we age. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can all worsen certain conditions, increasing strain on the body, and some medications make us more susceptible to hot weather. 'At Age UK, we want older people to be able to enjoy the sunshine while taking care, so when the weather is really hot, it's a good idea to take some simple precautions such as staying out of direct sunlight and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. 'It is also worth doing any daily activities, such as going for a walk, shopping, or gardening, before or after the hottest part of the day, which is 11-3pm.' The Alzheimer's Society is urging people to check in on friends and family living with dementia to make sure they stay safe during the hot weather. Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'People should absolutely enjoy the nice weather we're having. UK has 50:50 chance of 40C temperatures again in next 12 years, Met Office says The UK has a 50:50 chance of seeing temperatures soar to 40C again in the next 12 years, as the risk of extreme heat rises with climate change, the Met Office said. The meteorological experts also warned that far higher temperatures of 45C or more 'may be possible' in today's climate, while heatwaves could go on for a month or more. Temperatures hit 40C in the UK for the first time on record amid the heatwave and drought summer of 2022, peaking at 40.3C in Coningsby in Lincolnshire on July 19, outstripping the previous top temperature of 38.7C in Cambridge, set just three years earlier, by 1.6C. Major incidents were announced by fire brigades in London, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire as dozens of fires broke out and ripped through houses, schools, churches and farmland, while there was widespread disruption to transport and power systems. More than 1,000 excess deaths among older people were recorded around the four-day peak of the heatwave, with more than 3,000 heat-related deaths in England over summer 2022. Analysis by the Met Office, using global models to create a large number of climate outcomes in current conditions, shows the risk of 40C temperatures in the UK has been rapidly increasing. A study published in Weather Journal shows that the chance of temperatures hitting 40C is more than 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s, and has almost trebled since the year 2000. With ongoing climate change pushing up temperatures, the chances of exceeding 40C are continuing to increase, with a 50:50 chance of a day hitting that threshold again in the next 12 years, the Met Office said. Temperatures several degrees higher than the July 2022 record – up to a maximum of 46.6C – are also 'plausible'. Dr Gillian Kay, senior scientist at the Met Office, and lead author of the study, said: 'The chance of exceeding 40C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s. 'Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising. We estimate a 50:50 chance of seeing a 40C day again in the next 12 years. 'We also found that temperatures several degrees higher than we saw in July 2022 are possible in today's climate.' 'However, it's important to note that high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.' Dementia UK has also issued advice and tips on how to support a loved one with the dementia. These include: keeping hydrated; staying cool with appropriate clothing; keeping the person out of the heat; cooling the person down by avoiding hot drinks, alcohol and caffeine; and keeping the home environment cool. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said heat is the 'dominant story' this week and temperatures will reach heatwave levels in parts of the UK. He said: 'Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30Cs across parts of England, with high 20Cs likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland. 'It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a 'tropical night', when temperatures do not drop below 20C.' Some thundery showers could be seen in northern and western areas on Friday and into the weekend, before fresher conditions arrive later in the weekend and into next week, resulting in temperatures falling and potentially more unsettled weather, the forecaster added. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said the hotter weather will be a 'welcome lift' for the hospitality sector. She said: 'This spell of warm weather will no doubt be a welcome lift for hospitality venues up and down the country, as people look to eat, drink and socialise outdoors. 'Businesses will now be hoping for a strong summer to help counterbalance the significant cost pressures they're contending with. Rain or shine, I'd encourage everyone to get out and support their local hospitality businesses.' Katy Alston, who has been in the ice cream trade for more than 20 years and runs Pinks Parlour near the beach in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said this week's weather will be 'the difference between night and day' for her business. She said: 'We get so excited because this is what we wait for. People who work in ice cream vans are risk takers because you never know when that big yellow ball is going to come out.' Ms Alston said on Tuesday morning she had 84 inquiries from businesses wanting an ice cream van to visit, which is more than the last month. 'We want to go to as many people as we can,' she said. 'We're now making gelato around the clock, as fast as we're making it, we're selling it. It's our Christmas time.' Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. The LFB has attended more than 280 water-related incidents this year so far, an increase of about 15 per cent compared with the same period in 2024, it said. They have included incidents such as sinking and capsized boats, individuals trapped in mud or caught by the tide, and people and animals in distress in the water. Fifteen incidents resulted in people drowning in London, the fire brigade said. As part of a national push during Drowning Prevention Week, LFB is increasing engagement with communities to raise awareness of water safety risks. During a visit to Kingston Fire Station last week, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey met local firefighters and observed a live demonstration of the brigade's river flume tank. Met Office invites public to honour loved ones in search for new storm names The Met Office has invited the public to honour their loved ones as the weather service launched a search for new storm names. Naming storms helps effective communication among the media and the public regarding the impacts of severe weather events, the forecaster said. There have been five named storms so far in the 2024/25 season, with Eowyn the last one named on January 21. Factors to be considered during the naming process include how difficult it might be to pronounce, whether a name has different meanings in different countries and whether it could be controversial. The Met Office will work with Met Eireann in Ireland and Dutch weather service KMNI to compile the list which will reflect the diversity of the three countries. Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'We all remember the impactful storm names of recent years. 'Whether it's Eunice, Franklin, Bert or another impactful event, the storm-naming system has helped us communicate weather to help people stay safe. Now we need the UK public to help us compile this year's list.' Names are selected for each letter of the alphabet, apart from Q, U, X, Y and Z. People are being invited to put forward names on the Met Office website, with the option to add a reason for their suggestion. The shortlist will be announced in September. The tank includes a hydraulic flume with a range of features such as bridges, rocks and weirs to demonstrate how water behaves in rivers. Since its introduction at Twickenham Fire Station last year, the tank has been used across London to show schools, youth groups, communities and stakeholders how even experienced swimmers can quickly get into difficulty in open water. Pam Oparaocha, assistant commissioner for prevention and protection, said: 'We're working closely with MPs, schools and local communities to help people understand the serious water safety risks as summer approaches. 'With warm weather and school holidays on the horizon, we want people, especially young people, to enjoy our waterways safely, and that starts with education. 'Strong currents, underwater hazards and cold water shock can be deadly. It's important to know the risks and to familiarise yourself with lifesaving equipment like throwlines, which are available along many of London's waterways. There's a wealth of guidance on our website to help people stay safe this summer.' Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for the fire service, said: 'London's rivers, lakes and waterways can look very appealing when the temperatures rise, however, they can contain hidden dangers. 'The mayor and I are working to improve the capital's waterways for everyone to enjoy, and I urge everyone to heed London Fire Brigade's advice to stay safe in and around water. 'As the hot weather continues and with the summer holidays looming, this timely work with young people will help save lives and build a safer London for everyone.' Issuing a BBQ warning, Ms Oparaocha added: 'With hot weather comes the temptation to host BBQs or to head out to one of London's many open spaces to enjoy the sunshine. However, it is important to make sure you are doing so safely. 'We've had the driest spring in over a century, and the result is a heightened risk of grass fires, while the dry weather also means that fires can spread more easily. 'If you're out in the park or at an open space, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you, make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available. 'If you're having a BBQ at home, avoid doing so on a balcony and ensure your BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. You should also avoid having your BBQ on any decking you may have in your garden.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘To not speak out is to be complicit': LA faith leaders mobilize amid Ice raids
Kevin Kang, a pastor at a United Methodist church about 15 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, was furious last Thursday when he heard that the taco stand next door was raided by immigration agents. Not only did US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) target his favorite vendors, he said, they had also used the church parking lot to prepare for a raid on a host of popular Mexican food trucks on Foothill Boulevard, a major street in the city of Tujunga. Kang, who had been protesting all week in downtown LA, rallied congregants to put up signs declaring 'ICE activities not welcome' on church grounds. They also procured walkie-talkies for church members to report Ice activities. 'When I look at the scripture, when I look at the message and story of Jesus, he constantly is telling us to defend the most vulnerable,' said Kang, a son of Korean immigrants. 'In modern day, we're all on stolen land, so how can we call somebody 'illegal'?' Since federal immigration officers descended on Los Angeles on 6 June, dozens of faith leaders from across southern California – clergy in their long robes, Quakers in Black felt hats, laymen and rabbis – have marched in demonstrations against workplace raids and mobilized to provide services to undocumented immigrants. Many spoke of their faith as a guiding force in their activism and devotion to help the most vulnerable. 'To not speak out is to be complicit in saying that some of us are disposable,' said Eddie Anderson, a senior pastor at McCarty Memorial Christian church in West Adams. Anderson, who has been protesting in his tailored clergy vest, said faith leaders can play an especially important role in de-escalating tension at demonstrations, serving as a buffer between protesters and law enforcement to prevent confrontations from devolving into violence. As LA county became a flashpoint in Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, Ice has begun targeting Latino parishes. At Downey Memorial Christian church on Thursday, officers reportedly arrested a man in the parking lot then pointed a gun at senior pastor Tanya Lopez when she questioned why they were arresting him. The sanctuary status that churches have long held is increasingly under threat. In January, the Trump administration overturned a 2011 policy that limited migrant arrests at 'sensitive locations' like schools, hospitals and churches. A month later, more than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups sued the administration over the policy change, but a federal judge sided with the president. Kang said that while none of his congregants are undocumented, the raids have affected community members who depend on the church's social programs. (One-third of Tujunga's population is Latino.) At the food bank, which serves roughly 300 people every Wednesday, attendance fell by about 30% last week, Kang said. 'Basically all our Latino community members stopped coming to the pantry,' he said. LA county is home to the largest undocumented immigrant population in the country, with nearly 1 million people without status. At least 330 immigrants have been arrested in LA over the past week and a half, as Trump deployed more than 4,000 national guard troops and marines to quell protests downtown. On Saturday, an estimated 200,000 people attended the city's 'No Kings' protest – one of the largest showings across the country, according to organizers. Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (Clue), a network of faith leaders fighting against local economic and social injustices, established a bail fund for detained immigrants and organized a 30-day rapid response plan in which faith leaders would fast, lead prayer vigils and hold gatherings to demand the reunification of families. The month-long action plan, called the 'Summer of Resistance', began Saturday at Placita Olvera, a historic downtown street where religious groups fought against injustices. In the early 1900s, the women from La Plaza United Methodist church established the city's first integrated drinking fountain in the historic district. 'It's been a place where people of conscience trying to build a better city have gathered to protest,' said Rev Jennifer Gutierrez, Clue's executive director. 'It's a place where for a long time people of faith have been saying that we care about all communities.' Gutierrez said Clue has also been conducting de-escalation training for protesters as well as mobilizing faith leaders to immigration courts, where Ice has been arresting people showing up for hearings. LA churches have long functioned both as refuge and protest spaces, particularly against anti-immigrant policies. During the 1980s, the city became a focal point of the burgeoning sanctuary movement that began in Tucson, where hundreds of congregations defied immigration law to provide aid to Central American refugees fleeing civil conflicts. As roughly half a million Salvadorians arrived in LA, Father Luis Olivares established the country's largest sanctuary program at La Placita church, providing food, clothing and shelter to the refugees. 'In no other part of the US where there were sanctuary movements was there such an organized program,' said Mario Garcia, a professor of Chicana and Chicano studies and history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of Father Luis Olivares, A Biography: Faith Politics and the Origins of the Sanctuary Movement in Los Angeles. Olivares and other faith leaders at La Placita 'were carrying out a type of faith politics', Garcia said, where 'their faith was being put into action' to help the vulnerable. Olivares also offered sanctuary to undocumented immigrants, primarily from Mexico – a radical step that no other church in the country took, Garcia said. 'I absolutely believe the church has a role in providing sanctuary – in both a political and spiritual sense,' said Rev Omega Burckhardt, a senior minister at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist church in Pasadena. Burckhardt said she attended a 'No Kings' protest in Pasadena last weekend with more than two dozen of her congregants. Her church has been working with local faith groups to provide resources, like 'Know Your Rights' and legal services information, to community members. Since the raids began, she said there's been growing interest from church members to become more involved. 'How we choose to be together, offering a place of reflection and discernment, is fundamental to how we build a more loving world,' Burckhardt said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Energy firm with 800,000 customers must give £277k compensation to customers after huge payment fail
THOUSANDS of customers of a major energy supplier will receive compensation after an investigation by the industry regulator. Energy firm Utilita will pay around £277,000 in compensation after it failed to pay its Warm Home Discount payments on time. 1 The regulator found that the firm failed to pass on the mandatory discount to more than 4,000 customers within the required timeframe because of an internal error in processing payments. The Warm Home Discount is a one-off annual £150 discount of electricity bills to households on certain benefits or those on a low income with high energy costs. The automatic payment is usually paid by March 31. But thousands of the customers did not receive it on time this year. In recognition of the impact the delayed payments could have had on its customers, many of whom are vulnerable, Utilita has agreed to pay £247,000 of compensation to those affected. Customers will receive a further payment of up to £150 each. The money will be paid in addition to £30,000 of compensation Utilita paid to affected customers shortly after the issue was identified.
