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Britain's way of life ‘under threat’ amid extremes of heat and rainfall
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband (left) and Environment Secretary Steve Reed (right) are joined by Jeremy Biggs (centre) of the Freshwater Habitats Trust during a visit to the Ock and Thame Farmers floodplain restoration project, Oxfords

BRITAIN’S way of life is “under threat” from climate change, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has warned as a new Met Office report shows extremes of heat and rainfall are becoming the norm.

The report details how Britain has warmed by 0.25°C per decade, with temperatures now 1.24°C higher than the 1961-90 average.

Sea levels around Britain are also rising faster than the global average for the first time.

Mr Miliband called the findings “a stark warning” and said: “Our British way of life is under threat.

“That’s why the government has a central mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and tackle the climate crisis.”

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said that the report “lays absolutely bare the damaging impact of climate change on people living in this country.”

Labour has been criticised over its approach to the environment, including concerns around planning reforms sidelining nature in pursuit of growth.

Mr Reed defended the government, pointing to boosting funding for sustainable farming and developing the nature restoration fund.

Last year was Britain’s fourth warmest on record, with record-breaking spring heat already surpassed in 2025.

England and Wales had their wettest winter in over 250 years.

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