Sadiq Khan could give Londoners flexible working hours during heatwaves as southern England set to sizzle with highs of 34C - but rain and thunderstorms are on the way

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Sir Sadiq Khan is looking at whether to provide Londoners with flexible working hours during heatwaves as parts of Britain are set to swelter with temperatures forecast to hit 34C.
A survey has been launched by the Mayor London 's office for feedback from residents on proposals which could form part of the London Heat Risk Delivery Plan.
One of the questions is: 'Which of the following, if any, would you most like to see introduced to help reduce the impact of hot weather in London?'
And 'flexible working hours to avoid peak heat times' is one of the options presented as well as a relaxed dress code for businesses and schools, outdoor swimming spaces and designated water areas.
The questionnaire runs until the end of August before the heat plan is drafted and published next spring- but there are no guarantees any proposals in the survey will be included.
It is not clear how Sir Sadiq would be able to enforce the flexible working hours policy but if it was part of the plan, it would likely apply to all City Hall staff.
Public sector employers would then be encouraged to adopt the measures.
While staff would be allowed to adjust the start and end times of their working day, they would still need to work their required hours.
The survey comes as Britain continues to swelter in its fourth heatwave of the year with five regions under an amber heat health alert.
Weather warnings have also been issued due to thunderstorms and showers brought by the hot weather.
Despite the grey start across southern and western parts of the country today, temperatures are expected to climb to 34C in parts of England.
However, the heat is expected to give way to instability in Scotland, with a growing risk of thunderstorms and a chance of flooding and disruption
The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of Scotland from 2pm until midnight, with the potential for up to 30mm of rain in less than an hour, and 50mm locally, as well as hail and gusty winds.
The highest temperature recorded overnight in 2025 so far was 22.2C in Heathrow on July 1.
It is not clear how Sir Sadiq would be able to enforce the flexible working hours policy but if it was part of the plan, it would likely apply to all City Hall staff
An amber heat health alert remains in place for the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, London, and east of England until 6pm, after temperatures peaked at 33.4C on Tuesday.
Much of the rest of England is already under yellow alerts.
Officials have said that England is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls, despite rain in July.
The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.
England is suffering widespread environmental and agricultural effects from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.
On Thursday there will be residual showers and isolated thunderstorms across the South East, gradually clearing, and lightning, hail and heavy rain drifting northwards from Scotland into the Northern Isles.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts.
'Temperatures could still reach 30C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week.'
Northern England will have patchy rain and cloud on Friday while southern England will enjoy sunshine and temperatures of up to 31C.
The weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, climbing to 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday in south-west England.