Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled that the government is actively considering a ban on disposable barbecues, citing the heightened risk of wildfires during the current period of extreme heat and drought. During a visit to Stevenage, the Prime Minister urged the public to exercise the utmost caution in the countryside, specifically highlighting the dangers posed by both cigarettes and single-use grills, which he noted have been responsible for several recent blazes.
The announcement follows a series of warnings from fire chiefs, who have observed that wildfires are becoming an increasingly frequent and dangerous threat to communities. In July alone, fire crews across England and Wales responded to 393 wildfires, marking the busiest month on record for such incidents. With nearly three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales now officially in drought, conditions have become highly conducive to the rapid spread of fire.
The Met Office has issued a rare amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-to-high 30s in the Midlands and south-east of England, potentially peaking at 38C. In response to these conditions, the Prime Minister is chairing an emergency Cobra meeting. The session is set to include ministers from the Home Office, the Department for Health, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside representatives from the Environment Agency. This meeting marks the first emergency session chaired by Mr. Burnham regarding the heatwaves, following a previous session held by officials earlier this year.
Pressure for government action has mounted, with the Green Party leader Zack Polanksi having previously criticized the Prime Minister for alleged inaction regarding threats to food supplies and public health. In response to the growing climate risks, the government previously announced in June that specialist firefighters would be stationed at key locations across England, with additional funding made available for equipment upgrades. While some retailers have already taken the initiative to voluntarily cease sales of disposable barbecues, a Labour MP recently wrote to major retailers urging them to halt sales for the remainder of the summer. Furthermore, the National Farmers Union has called on local councils to implement public space protection orders to restrict the use of these devices in public areas. The government has acknowledged the significant pressure these weather conditions have placed on NHS staff, farmers, and firefighters across the country.
