A cartoon by illustrator Becky Barnicoat, published in The Guardian on 11 July 2026, has captured the nation's exasperation as a heatwave grips the UK while many households find themselves unable to fire up the barbecue. Titled 'Everything is heating up – except the barbecue', the piece depicts a sweltering garden scene where the sun blazes but the grill remains cold, a lampoon of the gap between seasonal expectation and reality.
The cartoon arrives as temperatures across southern England and the Midlands have exceeded 30°C for several days, with the Met Office issuing a yellow heat-health alert. Yet, reports from consumers and trade bodies indicate that supplies of bottled gas, charcoal, and even some cuts of meat have been patchy in certain areas, leading to empty shelves and frustrated shoppers.
Industry sources suggest that lingering disruptions from last year's port strikes and a reduced number of domestic charcoal producers have contributed to the shortages. The British BBQ Association has noted that while demand for outdoor cooking equipment surged in June, stock levels have not kept pace, particularly for small disposable grills favoured by urban dwellers and park-goers.
Barnicoat's work, known for its sharp social commentary, has been widely shared on social media, with many users tagging friends and family in posts that read 'this is us right now'. The cartoon touches on a broader cultural tension: the British love affair with the barbecue, often seen as a marker of summer success, colliding with the practical frustrations of a strained supply chain.
The government has not issued specific guidance on barbecue fuel shortages, but the Department for Business and Trade has said it is monitoring the situation. Shadow ministers have called for a review of supply resilience, arguing that the episode reveals vulnerabilities in the UK's distribution of seasonal goods. For now, many households are turning to indoor cooking or simply enjoying the heatwave without the charred sausages.