Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has announced support for establishing maximum workplace temperature regulations in the United Kingdom as heat-related pressures on workers and public services intensify. Recent heatwaves have created significant challenges across the country, with some workplaces reaching temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and contributing to thousands of school closures alongside disruptions to hospital and transportation infrastructure. A heatwave in June resulted in an estimated 440 deaths per day at its peak.
Currently, UK health and safety regulations establish minimum workplace temperatures but contain no maximum temperature thresholds, despite growing concerns about climate-driven heat impacts. Trade unions including Unison and the Trades Union Congress have campaigned for temperature limits, proposing 30 degrees Celsius for standard work and 27 degrees Celsius for strenuous activities. The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government, included workplace temperature regulations in its recommendations earlier this year to safeguard worker safety and encourage cooling infrastructure deployment.
Political momentum for such measures has grown recently, with Green party MP Hannah Spencer announcing plans to introduce parliamentary legislation addressing workplace heat limits. Khan’s office indicated the mayor supports the concept as extreme heat becomes “an increasing reality” for London residents, particularly given the capital’s experience with severe heatwaves this summer. The mayor has initiated adaptation efforts for the city, though his office acknowledged Khan lacks direct authority to enforce temperature regulations.
Other local leaders have emphasized the equity dimensions of the heat crisis. The Green party mayor of Hackney noted that extreme heat disproportionately affects certain populations and creates impossible choices for school administrators balancing student safety against closure impacts. Medical professionals have documented serious consequences for the National Health Service, including equipment failures and infrastructure breakdowns caused by excessive temperatures.
The central government has stated it has “no plans to introduce a mandatory maximum workplace temperature” but indicated the Health and Safety Executive will conduct a public consultation this year examining temperature thresholds alongside other workplace safety matters.
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