Sarah Keith-Lucas

Large parts of the UK are experiencing exceptionally hot and dry conditions, with eastern England and Wales seeing particularly low rainfall and central England enduring its longest dry spell since 1995. While heavy rain last autumn and winter delayed drought development compared with last year, institutions report declining river flows, expanding hosepipe bans and mounting pressure on farmers. Forecasts show little significant rain ahead, especially in the south and east, and long‑range indicators suggest conditions may remain largely warm and dry. Climate projections point to increasingly hot and drier summers, underscoring the need for greater resilience across government, agriculture and public services.