UK preparedness for extreme heat is at risk unless Prime Minister Andy Burnham brings party leaders together to plan a national response to a forecast 'super El Niño'. The Liberal Democrats have written asking Burnham to chair cross-party talks to avoid fragmented action as temperatures and drought pressure rise.
The Lib Dems say government activity so far has been limited to a Cobra meeting on drought, despite five heatwaves since May that have strained waterways and local services, including Hollow Pond in east London running low. Two weeks ago Ed Davey and Pippa Heylings sent a formal proposal and, they say, have not had a reply.
Pippa Heylings, the Lib Dem spokesperson for energy security and net zero, criticised the government’s silence on heat, saying, “Andy Burnham has shown he is able to commit to talking about things people care about, which is good. But there’s been a baffling silence from him on extreme heat. What we have heard so far has been underwhelming. Banning disposable barbecues is good, but we need to see more.”
Heylings warned the coming El Niño could amplify current impacts, arguing, “The scale of this Super El Niño is unprecedented and will have impacts here in the UK exacerbating our extreme weather particularly with more intense flooding and storms over the autumn and winter. We’re looking at a double whammy.” She said national preparedness must be paired with policies that reduce future risk.
The call won a public nod from Labour’s Clive Lewis, who said, “It’s the kind of politics we need.” Other Labour figures were sceptical that a broad consensus exists, with Jon Pearce adding, “The idea the Conservatives and Reform UK would be willing to face up to the risks we face is for the birds,” and warning both parties have shifted away from earlier climate agreement.
The Conservatives refused to speculate on hypothetical talks they had not been invited to, and Reform UK did not respond to requests for comment. The government pointed to ongoing adaptation work, saying the UK is accelerating the transition to clean power while protecting people and places from climate impacts. It also noted cooperation with the National Drought Group, plans for nine new reservoirs, and a commitment to invest at least £10.5bn by March 2036 in flood and coastal erosion schemes.
The Lib Dems want a meeting to forge longer-term consensus on resilience and emissions, but with no response the outcome is uncertain. If leaders do not engage, pressure for parliamentary-level coordination on extreme weather and the expected El Niño will likely intensify ahead of the autumn and winter season.
