Heat-related deaths 'will treble by 2050' if ministers fail to act, top MPs warn
2 min read
The number of heat-related deaths in the UK will treble by the middle of the century if the Government fails to prepare, MPs have warned.
In a stark new report, the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee says soaring global temperatures could result in a string of heat-related illnesses, including cardiac, kidney and respiratory diseases.
They warn that the number of deaths a year could soar to 7,000 by 2050, up from around 2,000 per year in 2003.
The committee urges ministers to step up planning for summer pressures on the National Health Service and order a round of inspections of hospitals and care homes to ensure they can cope.
They also call for stricter water efficiency standards, and say more needs to be done to make councils and businesses aware of the threat of heatwaves.
Meanwhile, public health chiefs are told to put out "formal guidance" to companies to relax dress codes and grant workers time off during exceptionally hot periods.
Committee chair Mary Creagh said: "Heatwave warnings are welcomed as barbecue alerts, but they threaten health, wellbeing and productivity.
"The Met Office has projected that UK summer temperatures could regularly reach 38.5°C by the 2040s. The Government must stop playing pass the parcel with local councils and the NHS and develop a strategy to protect our ageing population from this increasing risk."
Elsewhere in its report, the committee the Government to hand responsibility for climate change-related health risks to a dedicated minister, and warns that around five million working days were lost due to overheating in 2010 alone, costing the economy some £770m.
A Government spokesperson said ministers were already "taking robust action to ensure our country is resilient and prepared for the challenges a changing climate brings".
They added: We will continue to support vulnerable people across society by issuing public health alerts during spells of hot weather, providing advice to schools, and taking steps to tackle overheating risks in new homes," they continued.
"Our long-term plan for climate change adaptation sets out ongoing work and investment to make sure food and water supplies are protected, businesses and communities are properly prepared and the right infrastructure is in place.
"The government will carefully consider each of the report’s recommendations."
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