Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

June Heatwave Cost UK Economy More than £1bn: Study

Researchers said 24 million lost work hours and widespread health impacts show the U.K. remains poorly adapted to extreme heat.

  • Britain's record-breaking June heat wave resulted in 24 million lost work hours, costing the economy £1.15 billion , according to an estimate released Thursday by the London School of Economics .
  • England experienced its warmest June since 1884, with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, as buildings designed for cold climates trapped heat and forced infrastructure closures.
  • Researchers surveyed 1,950 adults and found 3.6 percent—equivalent to 1.25 million workers—missed work entirely, while 87 percent reported health impacts including sleep disruption and dizziness.
  • Environmental economist Shouro Dasgupta urged governments to implement mandatory rest breaks and maximum temperature thresholds, noting outdoor and physically demanding sectors faced the greatest impact.
  • This heat wave was the second of three to hit Europe this year, with LSE director Elizabeth Robinson warning the country remains "woefully under-adapted" and urging it to "act now.
Insights by Ground AI

26 Articles

(London=Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Ji-yeon = The losses to the British economy caused by the heatwave that struck Western Europe last month amount to 1.15 billion pounds (approximately 2.26 trillion won)...

·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
Read Full Article
Right

24 million working hours were lost, mainly in sectors such as construction and agriculture, according to an estimate published today.

·Marousi, Greece
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 61% of the sources lean Right
61% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Al Jazeera broke the news in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal