UK Heatwave: Red Warning Issued for Extreme Heat in England and Wales

The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat covering parts of England and Wales later this week.

Temperatures will increase significantly in the next few days and could hit 40C in places by Wednesday and Thursday.

The warning comes into place at 09:00 on Wednesday and will last until 21:00 on Thursday for central, southern and south-east England, and parts of south Wales.

Several schools in the area impacted by the red weather warning have already said they will be closing early, with some closing entirely, during the worst of the weather this week.

There is no legal maximum temperature for classrooms - and the government does not normally advise schools to close. Instead, it says schools can usually be managed safely and that keeping children in school is important.

Teaching unions have recommended that schools should aim to keep indoor temperatures at a maximum of 26C.

School leaders will keep a close eye on temperatures and will refer to their risk assessments. They will also watch for pupils becoming tired more quickly, especially those who are vulnerable.

If a head teacher does decide to close a school, they will need to talk to the chair of governors and their academy trust or employer first.

Some parents may already have had a message from their schools saying uniform rules are being relaxed and children can instead wear PE kits.

Schools can also look at changing start and finish times to avoid the worst of the heat.

Lessons may be moved to cooler areas of the school and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recommends children should not take part in vigorous physical activity when it is very hot, so PE lessons maybe be a bit more sedentary than normal.

CO2 monitors can also be used to keep a check on ventilation.

There's no law in the UK that says a given temperature is too hot or too cold to work.

But guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), external says employers must stick to health and safety at work law, which includes keeping temperatures at a "comfortable" level, and "providing clean and fresh air".

Workplace advice group Acas says that "except in extreme circumstances, workers usually need to follow their contracts and work with their employer to find a suitable and safe way to work".

Acas chief executive Niall Mackenzie says it is usually "a last resort in extreme circumstances" if a workplace has to be closed, or a worker is unable to travel or work because of the heat.

"Any such decision should only be taken where there are no alternative options and should be communicated clearly and in good time," he says, adding employers should be flexible and consider relaxing rules where possible.

Last month, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said the UK should introduce a maximum temperature for workplaces to protect people as heatwaves intensify due to climate change.

In cold weather, the HSE says the minimum temperature for an indoor workplace should normally be at least 16C - or 13C if the work involves "rigorous physical effort".

Michelle Last, a partner at Keystone Law, says an employee might be able to refuse to work if their workplace is so hot they feel they are in "serious or imminent danger", but such circumstances are likely to be exceptional.

And she says an employee with a disability which is adversely affected by the heat may be able to legitimately ask for adjustments, such as access to a fan or working from home.

Employees with a particular concern should raise this with their line manager, she says, adding: "Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the rest of us must keep cool and carry on."

The heatwave could lead to transport services being disrupted. Hot weather can affect overhead power lines on the railways, external and also cause rails to buckle.

Network Rail has urged passengers to only travel to, from or within areas covered by the extreme heat warnings on Wednesday and Thursday only if "absolutely necessary".

Acas notes that if public transport is affected, it could impact staff attendance and their ability to get into work on time.

It says people should check timetables in advance, and employers should be flexible.

National Highways says, external drivers should take plenty of drinking water on journeys, including enough for passengers.

If possible, it also advises changing travel times to avoid the hottest days and times of day.

Motoring group the RAC has said drivers whose cars don't have effective air conditioning should "strongly consider" postponing non-essential journeys until the weather warnings are lifted.