A leading homelessness charity has issued a warning about the dangers of extreme weather on people sleeping rough as a heatwave pushes temperatures to 30C and above this week.
St Mungo’s said its outreach team will increase the number of routine shifts it carries out to check on those living on the streets and ensure they are offered shelter from the sun.
Every summer there are a number of excess deaths due to hot weather. It is estimated that nationally there are 75 extra deaths per week for each degree difference in temperature.
The UK Health Security Agency has declared a ‘level two alert’ for southern and central England with temperatures forecast to reach 33C (91.4F) in some areas on Friday.
The heatwave is the result of hot air spreading up from Spain, Portugal and north Africa, where temperatures have hit upwards of 40C in recent days. Extreme temperatures are the result of climate change, with hotter summers set to become more frequent in the UK.
Local councils across the south of England are expected to activate their Severe Weather Emergency Plans to ensure people can shelter safely from the sun.