Burnham failing public over heat threats, says Green leader
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has criticized the government for failing to adequately prepare for extreme heatwaves and wildfires. He called for urgent measures, including the creation of public 'cool spaces' and a halt to new oil and gas drilling.
Why it matters
The speech highlights the growing political pressure on the government to address climate change adaptation and public safety in the face of record-breaking temperatures.
Image source, PA Media By Paul Seddon Political reporter Published 17 minutes ago Zack Polanski has accused Labour of a "dereliction of duty" in the face of this summer's heatwaves, as he urged Andy Burnham to take further action in response to recent wildfires and droughts.
In a speech, the Green Party leader said the threat to public health and food supplies posed the "biggest threat to this country since the Second World War".
Record temperatures in recent months showed the need for immediate measures, he said, such as publicly accessible "cool spaces" and financial support to help households heatproof their homes.
And he argued that more was needed to respond to the "new normal" of higher temperatures, including an updated strategy for tackling wildfires.
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