UK Records Hottest June Ever; 150 Tax-Evading Businesses Exposed; Council Tax Debt Hits Record High
- TBA
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
England's warmest June on record following historic heatwave
The UK Met Office’s latest preliminary data show that June 2026 was the hottest June ever recorded in England and the second-hottest June in UK history overall. The prolonged extreme heat wave sweeping across Europe has not only broken multiple temperature records but has also caused excess deaths in several countries, once again drawing attention to the impacts of climate change.
On June 26, 2026, the temperature in Lingwood reached 37.7°C setting a new UK record for the highest temperature ever recorded in June. The previous record of 35.6°C had stood for nearly 70 years.
Data show that the average temperature in England this June was 17.1°C, nearly 3°C above the historical average for the month, also a record high. Daytime temperatures were exceptionally elevated, while nighttime temperatures remained unusually warm as well. Many areas experienced frequent tropical nights—when the minimum temperature does not fall below 20°C—further increasing the monthly average.
In response to the persistent heat, UK meteorological authorities issued a rare red extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales. Some areas in eastern England remained under the highest-level warning for three consecutive days, the longest duration ever recorded.
The heat wave also affected other parts of the United Kingdom:
Wales experienced its second-hottest June on record. On June 25, the capital Cardiff recorded 35.9°C (96.6°F), breaking the city’s June temperature record and surpassing the previous record of 33.7°C (92.7°F).
Northern Ireland recorded 30.8°C (87.4°F) in Castlederg, tying its all-time June temperature record.
The extreme heat was not limited to the UK. During June 2026, several European countries—including Hungary, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark—set new June temperature records.
France also experienced historic heat. According to Météo-France, the country’s 24-hour average temperature exceeded 30°C (86°F) for the first time ever, making it the hottest day since records began.
As official statistics continue to emerge, the human cost of the heat wave is becoming clearer.
France recorded approximately 1,000 excess deaths during the heat wave, most of them among people aged 65 and older.
Spain reported 1,029 excess deaths attributed to extreme heat.
These figures underscore the growing public health risks associated with increasingly frequent and intense heat waves across Europe.
HMRC names and shames 150 businesses avoiding tax
The UK's tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), has recently published a list naming more than 150 businesses and individuals that were penalized for failing to meet their tax obligations. Among them, 43 businesses in London were identified for deliberately evading taxes, with unpaid taxes and penalties totaling approximately £4.8 million. However, the list only covers civil tax penalties and does not include criminal tax evasion cases.
The published list includes a wide range of high street businesses, such as convenience stores, vape retailers, takeaway shops, and other everyday local businesses.
Among those named, S&B Expo Ltd, a wholesale company headquartered in Manchester, received a penalty of £801,400 for tax violations, making it one of the largest fines on the list.
The head of HMRC's Small Business and Customer Compliance division said that many businesses operating on Britain's high streets gain an unfair competitive advantage by evading taxes, allowing them to reduce operating costs at the expense of businesses that comply with tax laws. This, in turn, harms local communities and undermines fair competition.
Kevin Hubbard said that the businesses named on the list—including takeaway outlets, convenience stores, and other high street retailers—demonstrate that HMRC's enforcement efforts against tax non-compliance extend across all parts of the UK.
HMRC also announced that it plans to carry out more than 30,000 compliance inspections targeting high street businesses across the UK, with a focus on tackling tax evasion and other forms of illegal business activity.
In addition, the tax authority will crack down on business owners who attempt to avoid their tax liabilities by closing one company and registering a new one to continue trading.
Under HMRC's rules, the details of the businesses and individuals named on the list will remain publicly available for 12 months. HMRC said the publication of the list is part of its ongoing efforts to combat tax evasion, improve tax transparency, promote fair competition, and ensure that the UK's tax system is enforced effectively.
Council tax crisis as British households trapped in £7.4billion debt black hole: 'People can't pay!'
Local government finances in the UK continue to come under increasing strain. According to the latest official figures, outstanding Council Tax debt in England reached a record £7.4 billion by the end of March 2025, an increase of around £800 million compared with the previous year. As the cost of living remains high, more households are struggling to keep up with their tax payments.
Data released by the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that £2.2 billion in Council Tax went uncollected on time during the 2025–26 financial year, representing a 16% increase from the previous year.
Despite the growing level of unpaid tax, Council Tax bills have continued to rise. In the 2025–26 financial year, around 90% of local authorities increased Council Tax by the maximum legal limit of 5%, pushing the average annual bill for a typical household to around £2,280.
James Cleverly, the Conservative Party's Shadow Housing Secretary, said the rising tax bills were placing an even greater burden on families.
"It's no surprise that people are struggling to pay their taxes. Working families are facing an ongoing cost-of-living crisis while also being hit with ever-higher tax bills. For the average Band D household, Council Tax is expected to rise by a total of £1,143 over the course of this Parliament."
Meanwhile, the Labour government is reportedly planning to reform the Council Tax collection system from 2027 to reduce the pressure on residents who fall behind on payments for a short period.
Under the current rules, if a resident misses just one instalment, a local authority can require them to pay the entire year's Council Tax bill within as little as 21 days. Under the proposed reforms, this grace period would be extended to 63 days, giving taxpayers more time to catch up on missed payments.
The government also plans to cap the administrative fees that local authorities can charge when applying to the courts for a Liability Order, setting a maximum charge of £100. At present, some councils charge as much as £153 for this process.
Once a Liability Order has been granted, however, local authorities can still take stronger enforcement action, including instructing bailiffs to recover unpaid debts.
Responding to criticism, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stressed that the reforms are not intended to reduce or write off Council Tax liabilities. Instead, the aim is to create a fairer and more reasonable repayment process that helps taxpayers meet their obligations while preventing short-term financial difficulties from quickly escalating into serious debt.
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