Heatwaves strain Indian households and British economy

A report by the Atlantic Council's Climate Resilience Center warns that rising temperatures in India could eliminate more than 19 working days per worker each year by 2030, exposing nearly 250 million outdoor and informal workers to heat stress. Reduced hours and unpaid leave are expected to cut incomes, while higher electricity, water and medical bills will increase household expenses, pushing many families toward poverty and forcing them to dip into savings or borrow.

In the United Kingdom, the Verdant think‑tank estimates that the June 2026 heatwave already cost at least £2.4 bn in lost output, and projects a minimum of £25 bn in productivity losses by 2030 if no further action is taken. The institute recommends a national maximum working temperature, a heat‑insurance scheme, and large‑scale adaptation spending, including cooling infrastructure and urban greening, to mitigate the economic damage of future heatwaves.