A severe heatwave in the UK has exposed stark inequalities in how people experience extreme temperatures, particularly in London, where highs reached 35C and so-called tropical nights have made sleeping difficult.

While wealthier residents and office workers in areas such as Canary Wharf benefit from air-conditioned homes, transport, and workplaces, many people in less affluent neighbourhoods like Whitechapel and Tower Hamlets are struggling in overheated, poorly adapted housing.

The article contrasts the experience of a 27-year-old banker who moved seamlessly between air-conditioned environments and reported no discomfort, with residents in nearby deprived areas who are unable to escape stifling indoor conditions.

One young mother described her flat as unbearably hot, making it difficult for her baby to sleep, while others sought relief in supermarkets, shaded parks, or community spaces due to the lack of cooling at home.

Health experts warn that indoor temperatures above 25C can pose serious risks, especially for older people, and overheating in homes is linked to increased mortality risk.

Research from the Resolution Foundation shows that nearly half of households in the poorest fifth of England live in homes prone to overheating, compared with only 17% in the richest fifth.The cost of cooling solutions has also risen during the heatwave, with air-conditioning units and fans becoming increasingly unaffordable for many.

The report also highlights how infrastructure shapes comfort: air-conditioned trains and offices contrast sharply with overheated buses and older housing stock.In some cases, such as listed buildings, installing air conditioning is restricted.

Community gardens and green spaces have become informal refuges, offering cooler microclimates and relief from concrete urban heat, underscoring how climate inequality is being felt in everyday life.