# PM to chair emergency Cobra meeting amid ‘extreme heat’ warning and wildfires

By Robert Palmer — 2026-08-12

In response to Prime Minister Andy Burnham chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee following another heatwave, Robert Palmer – deputy director at Uplift – says new oil and gas drilling needs to stop.

He said: “It’s good that the PM is taking the heatwave seriously by holding a Cobra meeting.

“But if his government is going to properly face up to the threat of climate change it must stop major new oil and gas drilling such as the Rosebank field.

“This decision is the first major climate test for the government. They are literally playing with people’s lives if they sanction more drilling which will wreck our planet and cause this dangerous heat.

“Climate Change is clearly devastating the UK, with nearly three-quarters of the country in drought, a fifth heatwave on the way in the south of England and severe health alerts. Heartbreakingly, this is after the sweltering heat has already killed thousands already this summer.

“It is also a horrific economic burden in terms of dealing with wildfires, ruined crops and fears that food bills are set to rocket.

“We know that heatwaves will get more frequent and intense the longer we stay hooked on fossil fuels. The science is clear, the world already has far more oil and gas than can be burned safely if we want to maintain a liveable climate for ourselves and our children.

“We need leaders that protect the public’s health, their need for lower bills and a safe climate ahead of oil company profits, and speed up the shift to clean energy to stop the heat once and for all.”

Canonical: https://experts.pressassociation.com/expert/203/views/b0898fe58988e638