Andy Burnham will convene an emergency Cobra meeting on Wednesday to coordinate Britain's response to drought and extreme heat as regions brace for a fifth heatwave this year. Downing Street confirmed the prime minister will chair the session to address heat-related wildfires and water shortages affecting much of the country. Firefighters continue battling a blaze in the New Forest while green spaces across the UK have been scorched.

Nearly 26mn people are under hosepipe restrictions as a fifth of rivers in England are now classified as 'exceptionally low'. Reservoir levels have fallen to 69 per cent, with five designated as exceptionally low for this time of year. The Met Office records show 35 days already exceeded 30C in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 34 set in 1995, with more high temperatures expected this week.