London School of Economics and Political Science

June heatwave costs UK economy over £1bn

Britain’s record June heatwave knocked about 24 million hours from the economy, costing around £1.15 billion, with an average 0.47-hour drop in weekly working hours and about 1.25 million workers not working at all during the heat week; 87% reported health-related impacts, underscoring that the UK remains insufficiently adapted to rising heat. Researchers from LSE's Grantham Institute and CMCC warn this could worsen productivity and strain health services, as a third heatwave hits Western Europe and policymakers are urged to act now.