Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Extreme Heat Preparedness

Thursday 22 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions focused on extreme heat preparedness on 2023-06-22
  • Bob Blackman thanked the Minister for the new heat health alerting service introduced on 1 June
  • Martyn Day inquired about the Government's assessment of its preparedness for extreme heat

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Climate
Context

Following last summer's record high temperature of 42°C in Committee Room 14, where the leadership contest was held, people are already experiencing discomfort due to current weather conditions.

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer. He will remember last summer when the temperature reached 42° and that was just in Committee Room 14, where we were holding the leadership contest. The good news is that the Met forecast shows that we will not get such extreme heat this summer but people are already suffering because of the heat. What action is my right hon. Friend taking right now to ensure that people are safe during very hot weather and that they are prepared for what may come?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend is right to highlight the matter. The situation is precisely why we rolled out the new heat health alerting service in conjunction with the Met Office on 1 June. As climate change continues, we are developing cross-Government working to ensure that we are resilient to the new challenges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions currently being taken to protect citizens from extreme heat and prepare them for future risks were not detailed

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Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Employment Environment
Context

Several European countries have introduced maximum workplace temperature regulations, and the UK is experiencing increasing heatwaves.

Question

It is not just red-headed, fair-skinned folk like me who suffer during the UK's increasing heatwaves. I note with envy that many countries across Europe have introduced maximum workplace temperatures, and wonder whether this country could do the same. Will the Minister look at implementing such a scheme?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I am very sceptical about adding further regulatory burdens to business. I think most businesses are incentivised to make sure their employees have a safe and appropriately cooled place to work, which is the appropriate way to proceed. However, we are working across Government, and through things such as local resilience fora, to make sure businesses are properly advised on the appropriate steps to take.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific consideration of introducing maximum workplace temperature regulations was not addressed directly

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Q3 Martyn Day SNP
Environment
Context

Following concerns raised about the government's readiness for extreme heat, especially after last summer's record-breaking temperatures.

Question

What recent assessment has his Department made of the adequacy of the Government's preparedness for extreme heat?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Keeping the British people safe is the Government's first duty, including from risks such as extreme heat. Central and local government have contingency plans that are ready to be implemented when we receive UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts or Met Office severe weather warnings. The Cabinet Office plays a critical role in supporting those plans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The most recent assessment of the Government's preparedness for extreme heat and specific measures were not detailed

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