70% of People in Wales Suffer Heatwave Anxiety as Hot Weather Puts Pressure on Household Budgets

• High Heatwave Anxiety: 70% of people in Wales feel anxious about the prospect of more frequent or severe UK heatwaves (19% very anxious and 51% somewhat anxious).
• Unplanned Costs: 56% of Welsh households incurred additional spending as a direct result of the June heatwave, while only 38% spent nothing extra.
• Financial Strain: Among Welsh households spending extra due to the heat, a substantial minority cut back on non-essential spending, with some needing to use credit or dip into savings.
• High Heatwave Anxiety: 70% of people in Wales feel anxious about the prospect of more frequent or severe UK heatwaves (19% very anxious and 51% somewhat anxious).
• Travel Impact: Around 2 in 10 in Wales changed travel plans to avoid the heat, and a similar share felt physically unwell or unsafe while travelling Around 2 in 10 in Wales changed travel plans to avoid the heat, and a similar share felt physically unwell or unsafe while travelling.

New data released by savings site MyVoucherCodes highlights the growing personal and financial toll of rising UK temperatures on communities across Wales. With extreme weather becoming more frequent, the figures reveal widespread climate anxiety alongside direct pressure on household finances during recent heat spikes. 

Rising Temperatures, Rising Anxiety 

 Heatwaves are no longer just a temporary discomfort; they are a major source of concern for the majority of the Welsh population. A staggering 70% of people in Wales say they feel anxious about the prospect of more frequent or severe heatwaves in the UK. Breaking this down, 19% report feeling very anxious, while 51% feel somewhat anxious about upcoming weather shifts.

Sudden, unexpected expenses compound the emotional worry. During the recent June heatwave, 56% of Welsh households reported additional spending as a direct result of the weather, while only 38% reported spending nothing extra.

This unexpected financial strain forced many families to adapt. Among the Welsh households that incurred extra costs because of the heatwave, a substantial minority say they had to cut back on non-essential spending just to afford these heatwave-related expenses. For others, the buffer was even thinner, with households reporting they needed to use credit or dip into savings to manage the additional costs.

Travel Disruption and Health and Safety Concerns 

Beyond financial strain, high temperatures are altering daily habits and threatening well-being across the transport network. While the majority noted that their journeys remained unaffected, significant disruptions occurred: 

• 1 in 5 (around 20%) of people in Wales actively changed their travel plans to avoid travelling during peak heat. 
• A similar share (around 20%) reported feeling physically unwell or unsafe while making journeys during the heatwave. 

MyVoucherCodes shopping and lifestyle expert, Sarah-Jane Outten, said: