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Britons taking drastic action such as sleeping in kitchen to cope with heat

The Citizens' Advice Bureau has stated that some poorly designed homes have been acting as 'heat traps' and has meant some simply cannot cope with the sweltering temperatures

[A worker waters the grass on Parliament Square on July 06, 2026 in London, England.]

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A worker waters the grass on Parliament Square on July 06, 2026 in London, England.(Image: Getty Images)

One in six Britons are taking drastic action such as sleeping in the kitchen, missing work, or booking hotels to cope with the extreme heat this summer.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau said millions of people across the UK are trapped in homes they cant cool, finding almost half - 44% of respondents - feel they lack basic control to stop their houses overheating. It is demanding Government action on a now year-round crisis of soaring heat in summer and unaffordable energy bills in winter.

Action taken by those struggling to cope included sleeping in unconventional places like the kitchen, garden, or on a balcony, taking sick days, unpaid leave or annual leave, or paying for hotels. A further four million said they had to use makeshift solutions like taping tin foil, cardboard, or damp sheets to windows.

[A person uses an umbrella to shelter from the direct sun, on a hot summer's day,in London on June 23, 2026]

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A person uses an umbrella to shelter from the direct sun, on a hot summer's day,in London on June 23, 2026

The study found poorly designed homes, which act like heat traps, and the high cost of cooling equipment such as air conditioning were making people feel helpless against the hot weather.

Half - 51% - of tenants including those who rent privately and those in social housing felt they lack the basic control needed to stop their homes overheating, compared with 40% of homeowners, the poll found.

The study also found 90,000 heat network consumers were unable to turn off their central heating even in summer.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: For far too many people, a summer heatwave doesnt mean enjoying the sun it means being trapped in a sweltering home with no control over the temperature.

Were now facing a year-round crisis, where poorly designed housing stock is acting as a giant heat trap in summer and as an ice box in winter.

[Horses ridden into water at Bournemouth Beach. // Horses cooled off in the sea at Bournemouth beach this weekend as the UK braces for fourth heatwave of the summer. Onlookers said the horses were ridden into the water as beachgoers watched and swam on Saturday. For much of next week temperatures in England and Wales will rise, with 33C forecast for London on Wednesday.]

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Horses cooling off in the sea at Bournemouth beach as the UK braces for another hot weekend(Image: Lindsey Harris / M35 Photography / SWNS)

The Government has a vital opportunity to help fix this through the Warm Homes Plan. By investing in better insulation, ventilation, and heat network upgrades, we can ensure peoples homes are warmer in the winter and safer and cooler in the summer.

A Government spokesman said: We are changing the rules so that for the first time ever people can access grants for air-to-air heat pumps, which can cool as well as heat homes.

We are already taking action to strengthen protections for tenants experiencing dangerous overheating and ensuring new residential buildings are designed to minimise unwanted heat from the sun.

[Visitors to the capital walk on the Southbank, on 24th June 2026 on the hottest London day in history]

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Visitors to the capital walk on the Southbank, on 24th June 2026 on the hottest London day in history

In response to the Citizens Advice study, Chartered Institute of Buildings Amanda Williams has outlined ways to keep houses cool.

Williams said: To prepare your home for hot weather you can start with some really simple steps like installing internal blinds, external shutters or awnings; growing plants and trees outside which can provide shade, particularly in front of south-facing windows, checking any ventilation system in your home is operating in summer mode if you have one, and speaking to recommended installers for advice about reducing overheating whenever you are insulating or refurbishing your home.

The survey from Citizens Advice comes as Britons face another hot summer weekend, with temperatures set to escalate in most regions from Thursday through to Sunday.

[Londoners cool off at the giffgaff keep your cool zone at Boxpark Shoreditch]

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Londoners cool off at the giffgaff keep your cool zone at Boxpark Shoreditch, as research shows 45% of Brits say hot weather leaves them feeling uncomfortable and overheated.(Image: PinPep)

As per the Met Office, Thursday will see sunny spells and scattered showers through the morning across the UK. Showers will fade through to the afternoon, though a few will continue across the northwest. Winds will be than Wednesday.

It may even feel cooler than as of late, but pleasant in the sunnier moments, a Met Office forecast read.

Tonight, showers will continue across the northwest of the UK, with longer spells of rain spreading eastwards across northern Scotland. Dry elsewhere, with lengthy clear skies. A rather chilly night to come.

[crowds of people sunbathing and enjoying a hot summers day at the beach on the longest day of the year during the start of a heatwave in the UK. The famous, diverse and vibrant seafront at Brighton, on the south coast of England is a popular destination for tourists, locals and Londoners, given its proximty to the capital, of about an hour by train. East of the pier, looking east. Brighton East Sussex UK June 21st 2026]

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Crowds of people sunbathing at Brighton Beach(Image: Stephen Smith via Getty Images)

Tomorrow, expect a dry and sunny day for much and England and Wales. Cloudier skies are to be expected across Scotland and Northern Ireland at times, with further rain across northwest Scotland. Warm in the sunshine.

Looking to the weekend, and Scots can expect rain across the north through the weekend. Warm and sunny elsewhere. Turning hot in the south. Dry for most on Monday, with temperatures on the very warm to hot side.

London can expect highs throughout the weekend of: Thursday: 22C, Friday: 25C, Saturday: 28C, and Sunday: 31C.

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