will be return. temperatures will be significantly lower than they have been. there will be some rain at times, probably not the widespread rain we could do with, some spells of sunshine as well, but at least it is going to feel a bit cooler. heatwave linked fires break out across the capital. a number of the calls that we've been dealing with today have been wildfires or grass fires in particular, where the ground has been tinderbox dry as a result of the weather that we've experienced. scotland sees a new temperature record — 34.8 degrees — and in all 29 places across england have broken the previous uk record. with soaring temperatures comes travel disruption, major stations have been shut down and several lines suspended. we'll be finding out how people have been coping. also on the programme:

public sector pay awards have been announced. rises for nhs staff and other public sector workers but unions say it is not enough to cope with inflation. three left in the race to be the next prime minister, after kemi badenoch fails to make the cut in the latest round of tory mp's votes. and coming up on the bbc news channel: the temperature�*s rising for the euros favourites — the lionesses might have beaten the heat by tomorrow but can they overcome spain to make the semifinals? hello and welcome to the bbc news at six. the predictions were spot on. this has been the hottest day recorded in the uk. in coningsby, in lincolnshire, the thermometer hit 40.3c.

in fact, 29 places across england have broken the old record which was 38.7 degrees. scotland has experienced its hottest day on record with the temperature reaching 34.8 celsius in the scottish borders. and it's notjust daytime temperatures we're talking about. provisional figures show last night was also the warmest on record — that was in emley moor in west yorkshire — where it reached 25.9c overnight. even before noon today, a new uk temperature record was set — 39.1 degrees in charlwood in surrey. but that record didn't last long, it was broken about an hour later at london heathrow, where 40.2 degrees was recorded. and then later in the afternoon, another record, coningsby in lincolnshire hit 40.3 degrees. so that's the timeline of a day that has not only broken records but brought the climate crisis to our doorsteps.

more on that later but first to the east of the capital where the london fire brigade has declared a major incident. daniel sandford reports. as weather thermometers breached the 40 degrees mark for the first time in britain, london was burning. this was wellington in the far east of the capital, just inside the m25. a fire in a parched area of grass was fanned by stiff southerly breeze and engulfed houses on the edge of the village. as units rushed to the scene and firemen tried to douse the flames, panicked horses could be heard whinnying in their fields. just across the thames in dartford, one of the other fires in and around london was burning fiercely on heathland beside the a2. the fires were burning north of the capital as well. in milton keynes, where a fire spread to the day nursery who said all the children and staff were safely evacuated. but the nursery

itself and several homes were destroyed. in norfolk, a fierce blaze was burning at the coastal park and there were concerns about a nearby campsite. the heat has peaked today and it should be cooler tomorrow but the tinder dry grassland across england and wales will remain a problem. people are being asked to be very careful and not to use barbecues outside their gardens. here it is not clear what the scale of the destruction is yet. people are talking about three or as many as eight homes having been destroyed. today we saw the stark reality of what it is like to live in a country where temperatures reach as high as the high 30s and even the low 40s. it means that grass becomes incredibly dry. small things can start fires. some residents think the fire he was started by a compost heap which

overheated. around here, people are rushing to get horses off the fields in case the fire spreads. and of course it was notjust in london, it was spreading in other parts of the south and east of england. and although the heat will reduce through the course of the next few hours, there are concerns that the conditions for fires have now been laid. the grass is incredibly dry, the temperature will remain high and the temperature will remain high and the fire brigade are asking people to be incredibly careful about fire, incredibly careful about litter, making sure they are not leaving anything like glass which can become anything like glass which can become a magnifying glass and set a fire and not to use barbecues outside people's gardens, that is a very strong message coming through from the fire brigade today. daniel, thank you very much. it's like a glimpse into our climate crisis future.

through the day there's been a growing number of reports of wildfires, infrastructure failures, and a rise in calls to the emergency services. today the met office says we could experience a heatwave like this every three years. here's our climate editorjustin rowlatt: iamat i am at the botanic garden in cambridge. it was here injuly 2019 when the previous record temperature was recorded. that has been smashed and in dramatic style. it is an important milestone but it is no surprise. climate chart scientists have been warning for years that the uk would see new record temperatures and the reason is very simple, the greenhouse gases we create when we burn fossil fuels trap heat in the atmosphere and have been driving up global temperatures. the temperature records started tumbling before midday today. the 39.1 degrees reported in chelwood near gatwick airport was a warning of things to come. heat builds during the course of the day and it

certainly did that today. within an hour, another record had been set, 40.2 degrees at heathrow. by mid afternoon, collings being lincolnshire edged ahead recording a temperature of 40.3. a total of five weather stations had now recorded temperatures over 40 degrees. and there was a new record for scotland, beating the previous high set back in 2003. we beating the previous high set back in 2003. ~ ., , , ., in 2003. we have been beating records by _ in 2003. we have been beating records by 1.5, _ in 2003. we have been beating records by 1.5, 2 _ in 2003. we have been beating records by 1.5, 2 degrees - in 2003. we have been beating records by 1.5, 2 degrees and l in 2003. we have been beating - records by 1.5, 2 degrees and really quite an extensive region of over 35 degrees and this is really unusual. these are high temperatures over a broad area in england, so quite surprising. broad area in england, so quite surprising-— broad area in england, so quite surrisinu. , ., ., surprising. just look how today's temperatures — surprising. just look how today's temperatures compared - surprising. just look how today's temperatures compared to - surprising. just look how today's . temperatures compared to previous records. in 1976, it peakedjust temperatures compared to previous records. in 1976, it peaked just shy of 36 degrees, it was 27 years before that record was broken. 16 years after that, it hit 38.7 celsius, just three years later and

we have got today's new record. who would have thought over 40 degrees in the uk! and it is notjust getting hotter. years ago, temperatures would only reach peaks like this in the far south but look how these high temperatures are moving north and west across the country. the heat is getting more intense and it is spreading. proof, says the prime minister, that cutting emissions is the right thing to do. ~ , ., , , to do. with temperatures setting records in this _ to do. with temperatures setting records in this country, _ to do. with temperatures setting records in this country, who - to do. with temperatures setting records in this country, who can. records in this country, who can doubt that we were right to be the first major economy to go for net zero? if we're going to protect our planet and if we are going to do the right thing to tackle global warming, it's essential that we set that lead. it warming, it's essential that we set that lead. ., , ., ., warming, it's essential that we set that lead. ., , ., ., that lead. it was too hot for tourists in _ that lead. it was too hot for tourists in cambridge - that lead. it was too hot for tourists in cambridge today| that lead. it was too hot for i tourists in cambridge today for that lead. it was too hot for - tourists in cambridge today for stop those brave enough to take to the river brought their own shelter and needed it. but today, climate scientists were warning dangerous temperatures like this will be part

of a normal british summer as global warming continues and we need to prepare for it. at king's college, the iconic heart of cambridge, it was empty today. the only sensible place to be was in the shade and that says something important about our changing world. this that says something important about our changing world.— our changing world. this really ou:ht to our changing world. this really ought to be — our changing world. this really ought to be a _ our changing world. this really ought to be a critical— our changing world. this really ought to be a critical warning l our changing world. this really i ought to be a critical warning for everyone in this country, but especially our policymakers, that climate change is not something to be ignored. it is a really critical issue that we have to address as a country and as a world.— issue that we have to address as a country and as a world. some people did find ways — country and as a world. some people did find ways to _ country and as a world. some people did find ways to cool— country and as a world. some people did find ways to cool down _ country and as a world. some people did find ways to cool down today. - country and as a world. some people did find ways to cool down today. if l did find ways to cool down today. if we want to stop britain and the world getting even hotter, we are going to need to start cutting emissions and quickly. justin rowlatt, bbc news, cambridge. as we heard, scotland has experienced its hottest day on

record with the temperature reading 34.8 celsius in the scottish borders. lorna gordon is in coldingham bay. this is quite a jump, coldingham bay. this is quite a jump, isn't it, from the previous hottest temperature?— jump, isn't it, from the previous hottest temperature? yes, it really is, hottest temperature? yes, it really is. george. — hottest temperature? yes, it really is. george. warm _ hottest temperature? yes, it really is, george, warm and _ hottest temperature? yes, it really is, george, warm and comfortablel is, george, warm and comfortable by the sea this evening but you don't have to go very far inland for the oppressive heat to hit. as you said, the met office is reporting that just a few miles from here at charter hall in the scottish borders a new provisional maximum temperature for scott was reached earlier this afternoon, 34.8. that is nearly 2 degrees hotter than the previous record, which was set almost 20 years ago, also in the scottish borders. it is not those kind of huge temperatures you are seeing down in england but this is a significant leap for scotland. further north, it has remained, many of the areas in the north and the island is quite cool and barmy but the areas that have seen the heat

here in scotland, there has been some travel disruption, warnings to stay out of the midday sun and of course to take care if you are out on the water. course to take care if you are out on the water-— course to take care if you are out on the water. ., ,, , ., , . thousands of people are without power in yorkshire and lincolnshire after the extreme temperatures over the last two days caused equipmemnt to fail. parts of yorkshire have seen the temperature rising to 39 degrees centigrade and newcastle airport seeing a high of 37 degrees. 0ur correspondent danny savage reports from selby in north yorkshire to see how people are coping. high noon in selby. the hot air from north africa reached far into northern england. it was 32 degrees already. inside, the industrial fridge was doing its job, keeping everyone cool. some people enjoy the sun, it's like being on holiday in spain for them and they're coming and enjoying it but half the other people... "it's too hot, too hot!" they want to come in and cool off in here. round here, they put up signs to explain why their doors weren't open to welcome customers.

stay in during the day, plenty of fans on, all the curtains are closed. those with life experience thought it was all a bit too much. so i think it's getting worse. it's not normal, is it, this kind of weather for england? it's not normal at all. not like this. on a neighbouring table, these two both had a night shift of sorts last night — one at a factory, and one at the bedside. oh, that's really nice. it is! _ we do have fans around the factory but it's...it's still very hot. we even had an ice cream van outside that they've paid for for us, so... in the middle of the night? in the middle of the night — it was lovely! i've got a three—year—old - and an eight—year—old whojust, at three o'clock this morning, they eventually fell— asleep, both of them. this primary school in the centre of selby has decided to do things a bit differently today. they started earlier this morning and finished earlier as well, so it's lunchtime and they've already gone home. theyjust found conditions yesterday were too hot and knew it was going to be even hotter today. siren wails.

the consequences were more serious for some. the ambulance service had a busy day dealing with people with heatstroke and as the afternoon wore on, like yesterday, fires broke out on dry grassland and heath. this blaze threatened homes near wakefield. luckily, the damage was contained to the gardens. the towns were hot, the countryside was baking. thousands of people were left without power as electricity supplies failed. gritters were deployed to treat melting roads with sand. and in the yorkshire dales, a's guard falls, and in the yorkshire dales, a's guard fails, a popular beauty spot, ran dry. the consequences of these elite this intense heat will be felt for some time. danny savage, bbc news, north yorkshire. rail services have been disrupted with no services in or out of king's cross. 0ther train networks have also had problems.

the intense heat has led to some of of the rail tracks buckling and overhead cables have also been affected. cross station now. 0ur transport correspondent katy austin is at kings cross station now. we knew there would be some disruption but how bad has it turned out to be? , , ., .,, disruption but how bad has it turned outto be? , , ., , out to be? there disruption has been pretty extensive- _ out to be? there disruption has been pretty extensive. some _ out to be? there disruption has been pretty extensive. some trains - out to be? there disruption has been pretty extensive. some trains are - pretty extensive. some trains are running today across the country but people have been told not to travel unless absolutely necessary. there are plenty of delays and cancellations around. in some cases, for example on routes heading north out of london today, passengers were simply told, do not travel. this afternoon, all services in and out of london euston station were suspended after a fire by the tracks caused by overhead power lines coming down and this afternoon of anti—west coast said it was stopping all services for the remainder of today. 0ther all services for the remainder of today. other issues around the country have included buckled rails, signalling problems and other issues with the overhead power lines because the temperatures today and yesterday had simply been higher

than the rail network in its existing form is designed to cope with. i am told some disruption could continue into tomorrow morning. so again, passengers are told to check before they travel. thank you very much. well, it's notjust the uk that has been facing sweltering temperatures, western europe has seen a ferocious heatwave. let's take a look at some of the hot—spots... spain has hit 39 degrees. believe it or not, that is cooler than recent days. in germany, the hottest temperature was also 39 degrees. belgium recorded 38 degrees. and in france, temperatures have reached a soaring 41 degrees. 0ur correspondent lucy williamson reports from gironde, in the southwest france. in teste—de—buch we drove towards the fire following fire crews as they disappeared into the smoke. all around us, the forest still smouldered. waiting for a chance to reignite. you can really taste and smell

the smoke in the air here. fire crews have been battling these fires for a week now and while they are contained in parts, they are still not under control despite the drop in temperatures. you can see some of them still working over here. the key concern now is preventing any fresh fires from taking hold. they talk about an apocalypse here. last week it was paradise. these campsites carry evidence of both. holiday memories spat out by the flames. the guests evacuated last week. translation: it's heartbreaking for the locals, for the tourists who come here, it's upsetting. and of course us firemen feel the same way but itjust makes us feel more determined to finish thejob. a short drive away, rachel has been packed for days. her husband's old camper van stashed with water. and then we've got a couple of baskets... anything irreplaceable,

packed into a bag. you could actually taste the smoke in your mouth. it was really disconcerting, this acrid taste. and there was ash falling from the sky. the situation is really scary. it's something that is so out of our control and heat waves are happening more and more. we are surrounded by forest and it's really something that has made us ask the question, are we going to go back to england perhaps because of it? it's frightening. across the border in spain, angel was caught on camera yesterday heading out in his bulldozer to dig a firebreak. now you see him, now you don't. it's the closest escape imaginable. this is what the apocalypse looks like up close. and this is what it looks like to survive it. lucy williamson, bbc news, teste—de—buch. well with records broken

and extreme weather becoming an increasing normal, what does it all mean for the uk? you can watch �*the uk's hottest day, a new normal?�* with bbc weather�*s nick miller on bbc iplayer now, at bbc.co.uk/iplayer or on the bbc iplayer app. our top story this evening. london fire brigade declares a major incident after record temperatures spark fires across the south of england. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel. a farewell on home soil. ben stokes bows out of 0d! cricket with a one dayer in durham. and a warning for the game to not overuse their players.

millions of public sector workers in england have found out how much their wages will rise by after the government announced this year's pay deal. unions had been calling for wages to reflect the rising cost of living — but ministers warned that that could push inflation even higher. according to today's announcement, teachers in england will receive a 5% pay boost, with the starting salary rising to £28,000 a year outside london. health workers get a pay rise of at least £1400. and all police officers get £1900 salary uplift from the 1st of september. in a moment our education editor, branwenjeffreys, will bring us the reaction from teachers, but first here's our health editor, hugh pym, on how today's pay announcement has gone down amongst health workers.

a below inflation wage award. the royal college of nursing telling westminster it sees this as a pay cut. minister said they had followed pay review body recommendations and that high wage rises would have a damaging outcome. but no minister was available for interview. health staff though made plain their views. if people understood what we do for them and for their relatives, people would understand why we are asking for above inflation. leanne is an intensive care nurse. she says people need to know the realities faced by those in her profession. myjob is to keep your relative alive so that they can come home to you and you can have a quality of life with your family. why can't i have the same? i can't afford to have a child. i can't afford to buy a home. and this is not my hubby, this is myjob. and i deserve quality of life as well. debbie who is from west yorkshire has been a paramedic for 30 years. she says pay awards below inflation

will drive people away from the nhs. she says the recent rise in cost of fuel and bills is hurting. it is not enough, nowhere near enough. we need something that is going to address the cost of living and inflation rises and actually give us a comfortable way of working. and be able to live in between work. we have gone through covid and we had to put up with all of that and we just feel this is a slap in the face. the government has said before it thinks inflation busting pay rises will harm the economy. but nhs employers are concerned they will have to fund some of the pay awards from their own budgets. and health unions have made clear their members will be consulted on further action which could include strikes. hugh pym, bbc news. a teacherjust starting out, and one who has taught for many years. now facing two different experiences of pay. right, super quiet... experienced teachers likejulie

are a big part of the workforce. despite the 5% she faces a real terms for in the valley of a pay after many years of it falling behind prices. in the last few years i don't think it has risen with the cost of living. teaching is very rewarding job, everyone will tell you that. but it is a very demanding job. and do i think my pay reflects that? probably not. guys, you should be writing the date and title and you should be getting on with... the numbers add up differently for new teachers like anna. starting salaries are going up to £30,000 next year. i was really, really thrilled to hear about that because i feel we are kind getting the recognition. i think if aspiring teachers are thinking about going into the profession and if they are weighing up the vocation and the pay, i think now that kind of solidifies that. you know, that might make up

the minds of some of them. excellent, well done. this evening the main education union said the offer was not enough and it would ask teachers to vote on industrial action. we and it would ask teachers to vote on industrial action.— industrial action. we do not want to have to take — industrial action. we do not want to have to take industrial _ industrial action. we do not want to have to take industrial action - industrial action. we do not want to have to take industrial action but i have to take industrial action but one on top of the long series of pay cuts we've had since 2010 which are already damaging teacher recruitment and retention, when the government proposes the single real terms pay cut for generations that unions must act. cut for generations that unions must act, ., ., , cut for generations that unions must act, , ., , cut for generations that unions must act. schools have been trying to ian act. schools have been trying to [an for act. schools have been trying to plan for pay _ act. schools have been trying to plan for pay increases. - act. schools have been trying to plan for pay increases. the - act. schools have been trying to plan for pay increases. the 5% l act. schools have been trying to i plan for pay increases. the 5% for most teachers is more than they were expecting but has to come out of school budgets. also under pressure from rising bills. staffing as a whole accounts for over 85% of our entire cost year—on—year. we are seeing energy increases, for example of 89, 90% plus and that is a general trend across schools. that is causing significant pressure

from outside the pay rise world. education unions say a below inflation increase is an insult. the government says it is the most generous four years. schools and parents could be caught in between. so how do today's public sector pay deals compare with private sector pay rises and what are the economic implications? 0ur economics editor faisal islam has been comparing the numbers. what is the government strategy? the big picture is with inflation at nine or 10% the government has gone forfour or 5% on average nine or 10% the government has gone for four or 5% on average but there are different things going on with that number. that is more than the two or 3% originally indicated but far less than the rate of inflation. the government argue they want to send a signal to the economy that those 10% inflation rates are abnormal and once you start to expect them and they become

self—fulfilling and the high period of inflation will last for longer. private sector earnings growth is around 5% and when you throwing bonuses that are increasingly prevalent in the private sector that is higher than some settlements that are seeing. the government is not providing extra cash for this, departments will have to find it from within budgets. so that will lead many public sector workers with a real cut in income but then there are changes, lower paid public sector workers are getting some settlements which are closer to the inflation rate at 9%. the chief of police officers getting closer to 1%. it is notjust about generosity but necessity because it is important for government to get the stuff they need in a period where we have labour shortages and some private sector supermarkets, amazon warehouses are taking lower paid public sector staff away so they had to do this from necessity. the

question is if it will prevent strikes. now to the tory leadership race — in the latest round of voting among tory mps liz truss has narrowed the gap with rival penny mordaunt. former chancellor rishi sunak again topped this afternoon's mps' ballot — he received 118 votes, penny mordaunt received 92 nominations and liz truss 86. kemi badenoch is out of the race after coming last with 59 votes. tomorrow the three remaining candidates will be whittled down to two as mps vote again. the bbc has announced it will broadcast a live hour—long tv debate with the last two candidates next monday, at 9pm. from westminster our political editor chris mason reports. the last scheduled meeting of borisjohnson�*s senior ministers. the cameras invited in but reporters not able to ask questions. and the prime minister keen to emphasise one of his government's key promises. with temperatures setting records in this country, who can doubt that we were right

to be the first major economy to go for net zero? that is net zero carbon emissions by 2050. some leadership contenders have questioned how that is achieved, and at what cost. good afternoon. nearly there! the now familiar ritual of the man with the numbers in his pocket and the bad news for one of the candidates. kemi badenoch is eliminated from the election. the remaining three candidates will proceed to a final ballot of the parliamentary party tomorrow. being knocked out was always likely for her today, but she had sounded upbeat on the way to work earlier. i'm very excited. there is so much momentum. i'm doing well and there is all to play for because i am the only change candidate left. the change, though, is she is out. and now three candidates are chasing two golden tickets to the run—off decided by party members. are you going to get

to the final two, liz truss? the foreign secretary liz truss remains in third place but is catching up. yes, i want liz truss to get through. i'm sorry for kemi badenoch, desperately, i think she's fantastic, but this is a very brutal business and i believe the momentum now is with liz truss. penny mordaunt has been second in every round so far but the only round that really counts is tomorrow's. she just has to keep doing what she doing, making a positive case. you know, we are running a clean campaign. she has support from right across the party. she is so grateful to all colleagues who have come out to support her. and we just keep doing more of the same, keep making the case. the front runner getting into the back—seat remains the former chancellor rishi sunak. he is going to be a prime minister who can hit the ground running and rishi sunak has that experience as chancellor of exchequer. he has a renowned record on the economy when it comes to the furlough scheme and ensuring that people remained in work. and i think he provides

the stability and certainty that this country needs. borisjohnson turned up for the photo to capture the faces of his last cabinet today. how will this picture look in september? and who will be sitting in the middle? well celebrities will face a colossal challenge. disgruntled workers, spiralling prices. does that diminish the appetite one iota for thisjob? that diminish the appetite one iota forthisjob? not that diminish the appetite one iota for thisjob? not one iota. 258 conservative mps are now being love bombed and controlled and persuaded trying to join the campaign bombed and controlled and persuaded trying tojoin the campaign of bombed and controlled and persuaded trying to join the campaign of one of the three wannabes still there. as things stand it looks like rishi sunak will get one of those golden tickets. but he will get the 2nd? team liz truss and team penny mordaunt is fighting it out for the final vote. supporters of liz truss optimistic than they can do it the final realignment is on the way and the final vote here takes place

tomorrow. england players have tried their best to keep cool as they face spain tomorrow night. beating the heat while the country sizzles. training was earlier today with cooling wraps and ice vests used to regulate temperatures. keeping an eagle eye away from the cameras was the coach serena weigman. she has had covid and could miss the match tomorrow but when asked about the mother church of the occasion the dutch manager typically played it cool. most of our used talk about pressure all the time and we talk about football. and football under the highest pressure against the best opponents we have in europe. so what we're trying to do is just play football. play our best and try to use our strengths and try to exploit

the weaknesses of the opponent.