The June heatwave cost the UK economy an estimated £1.15 billion, according to a new study.
Researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) surveyed almost 2,000 Brits to understand the impact the record-breaking heat had on their working hours and ability to sleep.
Respondents were also asked about any changes to how they travelled to work, or to their working environment.
The results revealed that the average Brit lost 0.47 hours of work across the week of the heatwave.
Across the entire country, that equates to around 24 million lost hours of work – at an estimated cost of over £1 billion.
Shouro Dasgupta, one of the researchers from LSE, said: ‘While £1 billion is lost overall, the greatest effects are borne by outdoor workers and those in physically demanding jobs, many of whom are among the lowest paid in the labour force.
‘Extreme heat is widening existing inequalities in the labour force.’
The results revealed that the average Brit lost 0.47 hours of work across the week of the heatwave
For the study, the team surveyed a sample of 1,950 British adults about their experiences during the June heatwave.
Beginning on 22 June, this hot spell saw temperature records broken across the UK – with an overall high of 37.7°C, recorded at Lingwood, Strumpshaw Hill on 26 June.
According to the survey, the average reported reduction in hours worked across the week was 0.47 hours.
Almost four per cent of respondents – equivalent to 1.25 million workers – did not work at all that week because of the heat.
According to the researchers, that’s the equivalent of eight million lost hours, estimated to cost the economy £0.38 billion.
The majority (87 per cent) reported at least one health-related impact during the week.
This ranged from disrupted sleep and being more tired at work, to dizziness, fainting and even a faster heartbeat.
Five per cent were even forced to seek medical attention as a result.
The majority (87 per cent) reported at least one health-related impact during the week. This ranged from disrupted sleep and being more tired at work, to dizziness, fainting and even a faster heartbeat
Unsurprisingly, Brits with jobs more highly exposed to heat – including construction and agriculture – were forced to reduce their hours more than those working in low-exposure and physically undemanding jobs.
What’s more, women, people aged under 35 and those with existing health conditions were the groups most likely to report that their health was harmed by the heatwave.
Elizabeth Robinson, Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said: ‘Our findings point to a country that remains insufficiently adapted to the changing climate.
‘The Government cannot continue to ignore extreme heat.
‘Unless it acts now, and makes workplaces safer, we are likely to see growing impacts on workers’ productivity, health, and the economy.’
The news comes shortly after experts confirmed that the fourth heatwave of the year is incoming next week.
The Met Office expects temperatures to reach at least 28°C in south-east England between next Tuesday and Thursday – meeting the criteria for another heatwave.
