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From the Sky News: Heatwave latest: Amber weather warning for extreme heat extended by Met Office | UK News | Sky News

The June heat record was broken more than once yet again on Friday – and it was the third day in a row a new high had been set. Temperatures will start to cool in the coming days, but a heat warning has been extended for parts of the country.

Rare red warning and record-breaking heat – what to expect today

If you’re just waking up (that is, if you managed to get some sleep), another scorcher is on the cards today, with a rare red weather warning in place across parts of the country.

What records could fall?

Temperatures are expected to head into the mid-30s, with the heat expected to surpass the all-time temperature record for June, which reached 35.6 in Hampshire in 1976.

There is even a small chance temperatures could reach near 40C on Wednesday and Thursday, closing in on the UK’s all-time record of 40.3C, which was measured in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in July 2022.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge says they are flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely in London or the South East.

“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range.”

Tuesday’s highest temperature was logged at 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey.

People dip their arms into the fountains at Trafalgar Square to cool off.Pic: Reuters

Red warning to come into force, with amber alerts in place

The red warning takes hold from 9am today until 9pm on Thursday, affecting the following regions:

• East Midlands
• East of England
• London and South East England
• South West England
• Wales
• West Midlands

Meanwhile, an amber warning remains in place until 11:59pm on Thursday for the following regions:

• East Midlands
• East of England
• London and South East England
• North West England
• South West England
• Wales
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and Humber 

Red heat health alerts also in place

Red heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber.

The alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean “adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population”.

Meanwhile, the Met Office says a combination of extreme heat and humidity could impact public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, and cause heat-related issues for multiple sectors.

It also warns of an increase in water safety incidents as people are more likely to visit coastal areas, lakes or rivers.

Hundreds of schools to close

The extreme temperatures over the next two days are also expected to cause issues at schools across the country, as some shut early or close entirely to protect pupils.

Somerset Council says almost 100 schools across the region will be fully closed, while around 100 in Buckinghamshire will at least be partially closed.

In Gloucestershire, council data shows 86 schools will be at least partially closed. 

Children at some schools have also been told they can wear their PE kit rather than full school uniform, which can include long trousers and blazers.

Rail disruption

Transport bosses have urged people to avoid travelling over the next two days and have warned those who are to “prepare for a disrupted journey”.

Avanti West Coast will continue to run fewer services than usual until Thursday, adding that there is a “risk of further disruption”, while Chiltern Railways has axed more than half of its services until Friday “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”.

Eurostar has also cancelled four trains running between London and Paris over the next two days due to “expected adverse weather”.

What should I do to stay safe?

NHS advice for coping during a heatwave includes keeping out of the heat when possible, cooling down with cold food and drinks and closing windows and blinds during the day to keep the heat out of living spaces.

The Met Office also advises to drink plenty of fluids, avoid any exercise between 11am to 3pm when the sun is at its strongest, and close curtains in rooms facing the sun. 

It says if you are going out, you should take water, stay in the shade, and wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.

For anyone taking a dip in the water, the advice is to enter gradually, avoid jumping or diving straight in to reduce the risk of cold-water shock, go to a supervised swimming area and float on your back if you get into any difficulty in the water.

Follow here: https://www.newham.gov.uk/carersweek

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From Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/uk-faces-economic-catastrophe-unless-it-adapts-to-young-people-rewired-by-smartphones-13547229?

The UK is facing an “economic catastrophe” unless it adapts to younger generations who have grown up in a digital world, a former minister has warned.

Alan Milburn is due to publish an interim report next week that examines why almost one million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in employment, education or training (NEET).

It will conclude that a “rising tide of mental ill health, anxiety, depression and neurodiversity” is a big factor in this economic inactivity.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Milburn rejected claims that young people are “snowflakes” – and said the country is at risk “of just writing a whole generation off”.

According to the report, the rise of smartphones and social media has led to a “bedroom generation” that suffers from poorer sleep and lower levels of concentration.

“Every one of a group of ten 12 and 13-year-olds told us they went to bed between midnight and 3am because they were scrolling on their phone,” it will warn.

The report will describe young people as different – and not worse, lazier or less intelligent than their peers in other age groups.

“They have grown up in a digital world that has rewired how they communicate, form relationships and manage stress,” it will say. “They have fewer experiences of workplaces, and they present with higher levels of anxiety and depression.”

COVID is also thought to have played a factor, as many 16 to 24-year-olds would have been in high school or college during lockdown closures.

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Mr Milburn believes the UK’s one million NEETs could plug labour shortages in the British economy, as long as employers are willing to make accommodations for them.

Speaking to the newspaper, he went on to warn that welfare reforms will be a “necessity” to help younger generations enter the world of work.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest youth unemployment reached 16.2% in the three months to March – the highest level in 11 years.