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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
A load of hot air! Health officials are branded 'nanny state' after issuing two-day 'danger to life' alert for UK heatwave
Health officials have been branded 'nanny state' after issuing a two-day 'danger to life' health alert for a brief heatwave starting tomorrow. An amber alert has been issued across the Midlands, East Anglia, London and South East for tomorrow and Wednesday. Yellow warnings apply elsewhere in England. Britain is set to be hotter than Barbados, with temperatures in the low 30s Celsius (high 80s Fahrenheit) across England and Wales – potentially reaching 34C (93F) in parts of the West Midlands. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there could be a 'rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions', and care providers have been warned of 'likely increased demand'. Health officials have recommended closing windows and curtains in rooms facing the sun to keep them cool, wearing a hat and sunglasses and covering up to protect from sunburn, and exercising in the morning or evening 'when it is cooler'. Professor Karol Sikora, the former director of a World Health Organisation programme, said the warnings were 'complete nanny state'. Of the UKHSA, he added: 'They are trying to justify their existence. Torremolinos [on the Spanish Costa del Sol] is full of oldies like me basking in the sun.' Meanwhile, former Conservative minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'I suggest people put on a Panama hat and drink a glass of refreshing Pimm's while ignoring those wastrels at the UKHSA who would be more use if they joined the junior doctors on strike.' The alert applies from 9am tomorrow until 6pm Wednesday, after which temperatures are due to drop into the high 20s Celsius (low 80s Farenheit), but they could still hit 30C (86F) in southern England on Friday. It is the fourth heatwave the UK has experienced this summer and it comes after the warmest June and fifth warmest July since records began. Tory MP Sir John Hayes, chairman of the backbench Common Sense group, said: 'Everyone knows about putting on a sun hat, making sure elderly people don't stay in the sun too long. 'They don't need some official issuing a diktat about how hot it has to be before they need to go indoors. It's a crazy manifestation of a very strange age.' His comments came as other parts of Europe have sweltered in temperatures higher than 40C over the past week. More than 1,400 people were forced to flee their homes in north-west Spain yesterday as wildfires spread fast, driven by scorching temperatures and fierce winds. The alert applies from 9am tomorrow until 6pm Wednesday, after which temperatures are due to drop into the high 20s Celsius (low 80s Farenheit), but they could still hit 30C (86F) in southern England on Friday. It is the fourth heatwave the UK has experienced this summer Meanwhile, in Portugal, firefighters were struggling to contain a huge blaze they had initially declared contained. Eleven people were confirmed injured while many others were treated for smoke inhalation. Hot air is being drawn towards the UK by the remains of Storm Dexter in the Atlantic and a southerly air flow bringing temperatures north from France and Spain. Officials also warned last night that England is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls, despite rain last month. The National Drought Group met as five areas of the country remain in drought and six more in prolonged dry weather status. The lack of water is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wildlife and increasing wildfires, the group said.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Fears for care homes amid Starmer's immigration crackdown
The Government's plan to end the recruitment of overseas care workers is raising concerns about the future of social care services. Care providers warn that the policy, part of a larger immigration crackdown, could force more care homes to close due to staff shortages. The Government decision follows previous restrictions on the health and care worker visa, including limiting dependents, partly due to concerns about exploitation. Critics argue the Government's approach lacks understanding of the care sector and fails to address underlying issues like funding and staff retention. The policy is expected to exacerbate existing vacancies in the sector, potentially leaving vulnerable people without access to essential care.
