June heatwave costs UK economy over £1bn

Britain’s June heatwave caused about 24 million lost work hours and cost the economy roughly £1.15 billion, according to a London School of Economics study. The impact was greatest in physically demanding, heat-exposed sectors like construction and agriculture, where workers reduced hours more than those in lower-exposure roles, with an average weekly reduction of 0.47 hours. About 3.6% of workers, roughly 1.25 million people, did not work at all that week due to the heat, and 87% reported at least one health-related effect such as disrupted sleep or dizziness. Researchers say the findings show the UK remains insufficiently prepared for extreme heat and urge the government to act now to safeguard health and productivity. The study notes that this heatwave was the second of three in Western Europe in a short period, signaling a pattern of increasingly frequent, intense heat events.