The UK has experienced a long, hot summer, leading to its third drought in five years. This period included the driest July in almost two centuries, during which wildfires reportedly burned down homes.
As the country transitions into autumn, there is now a risk of flash floods. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle stated that the future is expected to bring warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more extreme weather.
The government is working to build and manage landscapes to be resilient to extreme weather. This includes a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues and almost £100m being spent to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to wildfires and extreme weather.
Farmers are also being supported with a £65m funding boost, rule changes to simplify building on-site reservoirs, and a budget aimed at making farms more resilient to extreme weather and protecting food security.