UK heatwave disrupts sleep and daily life, survey shows

A YouGov survey commissioned by Greenpeace found that the June 2026 heatwave in the United Kingdom severely affected sleep, health and productivity. Across the country, 65% of respondents said they struggled to get a decent night’s rest and 44% described their homes as uncomfortably or dangerously hot. One‑quarter of households reported feeling unwell, while 23% said a medical, dental or care appointment was missed or delayed. Workplaces were also impacted: 46% said they were too hot and 31% said productivity fell. In London, a smaller sample showed 14% lost more than four hours of sleep per night, 30% lost three to four hours, and 45% lost one to two hours. Forty‑eight percent of Londoners backed a levy on high‑polluting companies to fund climate‑resilient upgrades. Mel Evans, head of climate at Greenpeace UK, said the data “exposes the brutal reality of dragging our feet on climate action”.