Britain has experienced eight consecutive days of record-breaking heat reaching 34C, with aerial photographs showing scorched, parched landscapes across the country as the prolonged dry spell takes hold. The heatwave has prompted water companies to move towards imposing hosepipe bans affecting millions of households, as reservoirs and land show visible signs of drought stress.

The extended hot spell has drawn attention to how unevenly any restrictions might be applied, with reports suggesting thousands of benefit claimants could be exempted from hosepipe bans, prompting accusations from critics that the approach unfairly penalises working households. Aerial imagery accompanying the coverage illustrates the visible impact of the heat on the British landscape, underscoring the scale of the dry conditions after over a week of unusually high temperatures.