Heatwave alert: UK government fails to prepare for extreme weather

The researchers claim that resources are at "breaking point" and that excess deaths could occur if the country experiences more very high temperatures this summer or in the future.

The Grantham report coincides with the launch of a new high-temperature warning system by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which will focus on the health impacts of very high temperatures.

The new system, called the Heat-Health Alerting (HHA) service, will use a yellow, amber, and red response system to warn of the potential risks to the population.

The red response indicates a significant risk to life for even the healthy population.

The number of excess deaths in England during five heat periods last summer was 2,803, the highest since 2004.

The UKHSA's Dr Agostinho Sousa stated that heatwaves are likely to occur more often and be more intense in the years and decades ahead, and it is important to quantify the likely impacts of these heatwaves before they arrive to prevent illness and reduce the number of deaths.

A government spokesperson said that the government and emergency services are well prepared for any future heatwaves.

A third National Adaptation Plan is expected from the government this year.