World Aug 06, 2026 · 1 min read

Heatwave Britain: why are politicians so slow to act? – podcast

As another summer of extreme heat rumbles on, warnings about excess deaths, ageing infrastructure and potential food shortages are growing louder. So how well prepared is the UK to cope, both now and in the years ahead? Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping examine why politicians have been so slow to...

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The Guardian
by Presented by Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping. Produced by Frankie Tobi, music by Axel Kacoutié; the executive producer is Maz Ebtehaj
Heatwave Britain: why are politicians so slow to act? – podcast

As another summer of extreme heat rumbles on, warnings about excess deaths, ageing infrastructure and potential food shortages are growing louder. So how well prepared is the UK to cope, both now and in the years ahead? Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping examine why politicians have been so slow to act.

Plus, Kemi Badenoch has distanced herself from the former neo-Nazi turned Tory council candidate Joshua Bonehill-Paine, only to offer him him an advisory role instead. What was she thinking?

You can read Jessica Elgot’s interview with the health secretary on heatwaves here

You can read about Kemi Badenoch’s action on Joshua Bonehill-Paine here

Please keep sending your comments and questions to politicsweeklyuk@theguardian.com

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Presented by Jessica Elgot and Alexandra Topping. Produced by Frankie Tobi, music by Axel Kacoutié; the executive producer is Maz Ebtehaj.

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