Andy Burnham to chair emergency COBRA meeting on extreme heat

High temperatures are set to sweep across the United Kingdom, with the Met Office forecasting a peak of 38 °C (100 °F) on Thursday. The heat wave has already triggered widespread wildfires and left many regions in a state of drought, straining emergency services and prompting urgent government action.

In response, the government will convene an emergency Cobra meeting chaired by Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on Wednesday. The meeting will bring together ministers, senior officials and agency heads to coordinate the national response to the heat‑related incidents and to assess the impact on infrastructure, public safety and the environment.

The Prime Minister will also meet with ministers, officials and agencies on Wednesday to discuss the escalating crisis. The meeting aims to streamline resources, enhance firefighting capabilities and ensure that communities across Britain receive the support needed to cope with the severe heat and its associated risks.