Big Issue vendors are struggling to sell magazines due to the UK's extreme heat, which is having an "immediate" impact on their earnings, according to Catherine Parsons, the managing director of Big Issue.
Sales of the magazine have fallen by an average of 20% year-on-year during weeks when heatwaves have been declared. In June, when record temperatures were recorded, the West Midlands saw a 34% drop in sales, and Wales experienced a 33% reduction.
George Anderson, a vendor in London, noted that lower footfall and people seeking air conditioning make selling difficult. Parsons stated that for vendors, who are often experiencing homelessness or financial instability, the extreme heat means earning significantly less, leading to difficult decisions about essentials like rent and food.
Big Issue teams are working to support vendors by distributing sunscreen, caps, and water bottles. However, Parsons added that in the most extreme temperatures, it is unsafe for vendors to work, and cutting their day short has an immediate financial impact.