UK Homes Trapped: Heatwaves Force Drastic Measures

Extreme heatwaves this summer have led to drastic actions by one in six Britons, including sleeping in kitchens, missing work, or booking hotels. Citizens Advice found that almost half of people feel powerless to prevent their homes from overheating. Four million have resorted to makeshift solutions like taping tin foil to windows, as poorly designed homes trap heat and cooling equipment is too expensive.

The charity warns that millions are trapped in homes they cannot cool, describing it as a "year-round crisis" for "soaring heat in summer and unaffordable energy bills in winter." Tenants are particularly affected, with 51% lacking control over their home's temperature. Citizens Advice advocates for government investment in insulation, ventilation, and heat network upgrades through the Warm Homes Plan to make homes safer and cooler in summer, and warmer in winter.