London faces frazzling in heatwave over 40°C, warns Government in new risk

London could frazzle in temperatures of more than 40°C as the planet warms, the Government is warning.

The Tube, rail and buses could be disrupted, tens of thousands more workers may stay at home, and water supplies could be hit.

Ministers raised the alarm over the dangers of soaring temperatures and global warming in its updated National Risk Register for 2025.

The 187-page document assesses the scale of the dangers, and likelihood of them happening, ranging from a terrorist attack, nuclear incident, riots, cyber strikes, wars and weather events, including in space.

A high temperature emergency was rated as having a “significant” impact and a three out of five likelihood.

“Climate change means that the risk of extreme heat has become more likely in the UK, with this trend expected to continue over the coming decades,” the report stresses on the risks of high temperatures.

It outlined a “reasonable worst-case scenario” of an extended period of high temperatures impacting on between half and 70 per cent of the UK’s population.

“This would take place over 5 consecutive days, with maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C,” it explained.

“Temperatures may approach or exceed 40°C in some places, with this most likely in parts of south-eastern, eastern, or central England,” it added, with London part of the south-eastern area.

The register stressed further: “Such a spell of weather would cause significant health impacts to the general population, with excess deaths above the number experienced in a normal summer expected.

“Disruption to transport networks, supply chains, power supplies and water supplies would be expected.

“Social and economic disruption would be likely as everyday behaviours have to change, including working patterns and levels of productivity.

“Other hazards are very likely to occur concurrently with, or immediately after, the heatwave, including flooding from severe thunderstorms, poor air quality, drought, and wildfires.”

The report also stressed that wildfires could last up to seven days and lead to evacuations of local residents in affected areas.

During the 2022 summer heatwave, the record temperature was 40.3°C on July 19 at Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

In a foreword to the report, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said: “This Government is committed to sharing risk information as openly as possible, to support all those working to build the UK’s resilience with their planning, preparation and response activity.

“Greater transparency also means that people can scrutinise our assessments, challenging us to do things differently when needed.

“We need everyone to play their part in building resilience – so this National Risk Register underpins the public guidance at GOV.UK/Prepare, which sets out the simple and effective steps we can all take to prepare for emergencies.”

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