We’re not prepared for hot weather say Brits, with only half saying they would comply with hosepipe bans

New polling from Ipsos in the UK reveals that over a third (36%) of the British public are only somewhat prepared to adjust their work or daily routines to the heat, with 12% saying they are not at all prepared.
This lack of concern is demonstrated by Ipsos’ findings that just half (49%) of Britons would comply with hosepipe bans if these are put in place in their areas, dropping to just 35% of 16 to 34 year olds. Comparatively, two thirds (64%) of 55 to 75 year olds say they would follow a hosepipe ban in their area. 

Just over half (53%) say they would turn off the taps while brushing their teeth and 45% say they would take shorter showers, but only 12% say they would stop using a dishwasher and one quarter (27%) say they would wash clothes less frequently. 

Six in ten (62%) say they think climate change has had at least some influence on the recent heatwaves and droughts across the UK. However, only 32% say they think they were “mainly caused by climate change as a result of human activity”. This figure drops to 12% of 2024 Reform UK voters, who are also twice as likely (34%) than the general public (16%) to say that the heatwaves and droughts are mainly caused by natural weather cycles.

Just one in five (20%) of Britons say they are either extremely or very concerned about droughts and water shortages in their area, despite rising temperature levels. The vast majority (81%) say that recent hosepipe bans in their area have either had no (42%) or little impact (39%) on their daily lives.

Commenting on the findings, Rachel Brisley, Head of Energy and Environment at Ipsos, said:

Our research suggests that the majority of the British public don’t consider themselves to be prepared to adapt their lifestyles to heatwaves and this includes an unwillingness, by almost half of those surveyed, to comply with hosepipe bans. This seems to be particularly true for younger generations.

In general, the public considers that climate change has had at least some influence on the recent heatwaves and droughts that are becoming a more frequent part of our lives. Reform UK voters, however, remain sceptical about the human impact on extreme weather events.

Technical note: 

• Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,075 adults aged 16-75 across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between the 25th – 27th July.  
• Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.