A new analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS) warns that millions of homes across London, Essex, and Kent face growing risk of subsidence as climate change drives hotter, drier summers that cause clay-rich soils to shrink and destabilise foundations. The study projects that under a medium emissions scenario — roughly aligned with current global trends — more than 1.8 million properties could be affected by 2070, with parts of London such as Camden, Islington, and Barnet among the most vulnerable. The findings carry serious financial implications, as subsidence can sharply reduce property values and block mortgage lending, with insurance claims already reaching £153 million in just the first half of 2025.