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UK heatwaves could cost economy £4.4bn in lost output by end of July

Verdant estimates the hit comes from lower worker productivity in heatwaves and from equipment and infrastructure overheating and shutting down.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Europe

Repeated debilitating heatwaves in the UK are likely to have cut economic output by more than £4.4bn by the end of July, according to an analysis by green thinktank Verdant.

Verdant previously estimated June’s unseasonably hot weather would cost £2.36bn, and updated its calculation to include July’s higher temperatures.

The report attributes direct economic costs to workers across industries becoming less productive in extreme heat, as well as infrastructure and equipment overheating and needing shutdowns.

Verdant is urging the UK government to set a maximum working temperature, compensate workers who are forced to cut hours, and invest in urban redesign and cooler green spaces, while noting its estimate excludes indirect losses such as wildfire-fighting costs and added electricity use from fans and air conditioning.

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