UK heatwave live: Met Office issues extreme heat warning as government convenes emergency Cobra meeting

Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week

The Guardian's environment editor Damian Carrington has put together this explainer on why Europe is warming about twice as fast as the global average, with shifting weather patterns, Arctic warming, declining snow cover and reduced air pollution all contributing alongside greenhouse gas emissions:

We have some comments from the Liberal Democrats and Green party on the Cobra emergency meeting scheduled for later today.