Government action to address the problem of overheating in new homes has been “notably absent” despite the serious risk of death to inhabitants as climate change impacts worsen, a major report has warned.

The government’s independent Climate Change Committee said in a landmark update to its assessment of the risk to the UK from climate change, that since its last report 570,000 new homes had been built which would be likely to overheat in hot summers, risking the health of residents.

This is despite the fact the committee predicts the number of heat-related deaths in the UK could rise from an average of 2,000 to 7,000 each year by 2050, and has identified overheating in buildings – and housing particular – as one of eight key risks to the UK from climate change.

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