Lost sleep, wasted food, and hot offices: The true impact of heatwaves on Britons
A heatwave in June caused mass sleep deprivation, piles of food rotting and workers languishing in hot conditions across the UK, a new survey has found.
Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of Britons had trouble sleeping during the record-breaking weather event, according to a YouGov poll commissioned by Greenpeace. Less than half of them (48 percent) lost three or more hours each night.
The research comes as Britain grapples with its third heatwave of the year. High temperatures at the end of last month made the UK’s hottest June on record; The highest temperature was 37.7°C at Lingwood, Norfolk, surpassing the previous high of 35.6°C set in 1976.
Heat has found that 60 per cent of workers work in uncomfortably hot workplaces, and 22 per cent of adults have had to throw away food spoiled in the heat, according to Greenpeace research.
Mel Evans, Greenpeace UK’s climate chief, said: “This data reveals the harsh reality of keeping up with climate action, such as mass sleep deprivation in the UK.
“Heatwaves are no longer just a new inconvenience; they’re a growing health, housing and economic emergency that’s costing families money they don’t have.”
The eco-campaign network has called for a tax on high carbon emitting companies to fund infrastructure improvements needed to cope with rising temperatures in the UK.
Nighttime temperatures were a key factor in the Met Office declaring June 2026 the warmest date in history; “tropical nights” where temperatures do not drop below 20C are common. Experts say this can raise indoor temperatures as high as 28 degrees.
Dr. from Oxford University’s Faculty of Geography and Environment. Laurence Wainwright said last month that under such conditions “a good night’s sleep is almost impossible for most people.”
The consequences of this are significant, he added. “Less sleep and disrupted sleep is associated with a decline in work performance and productivity, an increase in accidents, lower school test scores (a 15 per cent drop in students’ temperature in a room of 18C versus 28C), a decline in mental health, worsening cognitive functioning and an increase in impulsive behavior.”
In addition to the health impacts of commuting and working in high temperatures on workers, extreme temperatures can also negatively impact productivity. Greenpeace research showed 7 per cent of adults in the UK had to stop working early due to the heat, while 4 per cent lost working hours or income.
The current heatwave is expected to be less severe than last month’s weather event, but will still cause uncomfortable conditions for many Britons, the Met Office said.
Steven Keates, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year. But unlike the May and June heatwaves, we do not expect this heatwave to be record-breaking.
“Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, but parts of southern England in particular are likely to see temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius for a few days, and a few places could reach 34 to 35C later this week.
“Much of England and Wales will be hot, with warmth also spreading to parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, although highest temperatures there are more likely to be above 20 degrees Celsius. People should take the usual precautions around heat and sun due to high UV and high temperatures.”
