The UK heatwave in June resulted in the loss of 24 million working hours, costing the economy an estimated €1.35 billion, according to a study published by the London School of Economics (LSE).
Several European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, experienced an extreme heatwave in June that affected areas from the Iberian Peninsula to Ukraine, including the Balkans and Germany.
The study was carried out by the LSE’s Grantham Research Institute and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), based on a survey of 1,950 adults across the UK during the week of 22 June.
Outdoor workers affected most
Researchers found that workers in jobs with greater exposure to high temperatures and higher physical demands, such as construction and agriculture, reduced their working hours more than those in less physically demanding roles, including academic professions.
The average reported reduction in working time was 0.47 hours during the week examined.
The study also found that 3.6% of respondents, representing around 1.25 million workers across the UK population, did not work at all during that week because of the heat.
Health effects reported by workers
Researchers examined how employees experienced the effects of the heatwave on working hours, sleep quality, commuting patterns and workplace conditions.
The majority of workers, 87%, reported at least one health impact linked to the heat.
These included sleep disruption, increased fatigue at work and, in some cases, dizziness, fainting or heart palpitations.
Calls for safer workplaces
Elizabeth Robinson, Director of the Grantham Research Institute, said the UK remains “a country that is unprepared for climate change”.
She called on the government to take action to “make workplaces safer” as extreme weather events become more frequent.
The findings highlight the growing economic and workplace consequences of rising temperatures and the need for stronger climate adaptation measures.
Also read: Houthis claim Red Sea attacks on oil tankers
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
