Updated

The RAC has warned that the UK's hottest summer on record will lead to a jump in potholes, as prolonged heat causes brittle road surfaces to crack, adding to infrastructure strain typically associated with cold and wet weather. The summer also brought wildfires, excess deaths, hosepipe bans and school closures across Britain. Climate experts say the summer's impacts present an opportunity to engage the public on climate preparedness, though building lasting trust and driving policy change remains a challenge given wavering public confidence in institutions.