Andy Burnham says disposable BBQ ban under consideration

The government’s contemplation of a ban follows a growing trend among major retailers, many of whom have already taken the initiative to voluntarily cease sales of disposable barbecues. These preemptive actions by supermarkets and hardware stores reflect both increasing public awareness and long-standing warnings from fire chiefs, who have consistently highlighted the inherent dangers of these devices, particularly their propensity to retain heat for extended periods and ignite dry vegetation. The portable nature and often casual use of disposable barbecues make them a significant hazard in environments prone to rapid fire spread.

Burnham’s announcement came as he chaired a critical emergency Cobra meeting, the first such session he has personally led, convened to address the multifaceted challenges posed by record-breaking temperatures and the resulting environmental crises. Cobra, or Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, meetings are reserved for national emergencies, bringing together key ministers, officials, and experts to coordinate the government’s response. Attendees included senior representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Home Office, the Department for Health, and the Environment Agency, each grappling with distinct aspects of the crisis, from agricultural impacts and water management to public health and emergency services.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the official declaration of drought conditions across vast swathes of the country. Nearly three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales have now been officially designated as being in drought, a status that triggers specific responses, including potential water use restrictions and heightened vigilance against fire. These declarations signify prolonged periods of low rainfall, severely depleted river flows, and parched ground, creating an extremely volatile landscape where even a small spark can rapidly escalate into a major conflagration. The Met Office has further compounded concerns by issuing a rare amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, with temperatures anticipated to peak in the mid-to-high 30s across the Midlands and south-east of England, with a staggering 38C possible in some areas. Such extreme heat not only exacerbates drought conditions but also poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.

During a visit to Stevenage, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s seriousness regarding the proposed ban. "I do want to leave the meeting today with a loud and clear message that we do want people to take the greatest possible care when they are out in the countryside, both in terms of cigarettes, but also those temporary barbecues that we know are causing risk of fires," Burnham stated, emphasizing a dual focus on both legislative action and public responsibility. The discussion within the Cobra meeting extended beyond the immediate ban, encompassing broader strategies for water management, safeguarding public health, and providing robust support for emergency services stretched thin by the escalating crisis.

A No 10 spokesperson acknowledged the immense strain on frontline services, confirming that the government fully understood the immense challenges faced by firefighters battling relentless blazes, farmers contending with crop failures and livestock issues, and NHS staff managing an influx of heat-related illnesses. While an earlier Cobra meeting on heatwaves this year was chaired by officials, Burnham’s direct leadership of this session signals a heightened level of governmental concern and commitment to a coordinated, high-level response.

The current crisis builds upon previous governmental efforts to bolster national resilience against wildfires. In June, under the leadership of previous Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the government announced a package of measures aimed at strengthening fire services. This included the strategic positioning of specialist firefighters in key locations across England, equipped to respond rapidly to wildfire incidents, and encouragement for fire forces to utilise a dedicated government fund to upgrade essential equipment, such as all-terrain vehicles and advanced firefighting tools. These initiatives, while helpful, are now being tested to their limits by the unprecedented scale and frequency of recent incidents.

Prime Minister Burnham had faced considerable pressure from opposition parties to address the escalating climate-related emergencies. Green Party leader Zack Polanski, in particular, had vociferously called for Burnham to chair a Cobra meeting, accusing the government of inaction amid critical threats to public health, food security, and the environment. The Green Party’s comprehensive demands have included not only immediate emergency responses but also calls for the establishment of more publicly accessible "cool spaces" for vulnerable groups to shelter from extreme heat and financial support mechanisms to assist households in heatproofing their homes, thereby promoting long-term climate adaptation.

Fire chiefs across the country have been unequivocal in their warnings, declaring that wildfires are no longer isolated incidents but are becoming a "recurring and growing feature of the risks facing our communities" as a direct consequence of a changing climate. The statistics underscore this grim reality: fire crews responded to an alarming 393 wildfires across England and Wales in July alone, making it the busiest month on record for such incidents. These fires, ranging from devastating moorland blazes that destroy fragile ecosystems to urban fringe fires threatening homes and infrastructure, place immense strain on already stretched emergency services, diverting resources from other critical incidents and impacting the mental and physical well-being of firefighters. The ecological damage from these fires is profound, destroying habitats, impacting biodiversity, and releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, creating a feedback loop that further exacerbates climate change.

The potential ban on disposable barbecues, if implemented, would represent a significant policy shift aimed at mitigating an immediate and tangible threat. However, the broader discussion within the government and among stakeholders points towards a recognition that such measures, while crucial, are part of a larger, ongoing effort to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Future actions are likely to include intensified public awareness campaigns regarding fire safety, further investment in wildfire prevention and response capabilities, and continued exploration of long-term climate resilience strategies to protect communities and the environment from the increasingly frequent and severe impacts of extreme weather. The onus will also remain on individual citizens to exercise extreme caution and responsibility, understanding that collective action and behavioural change are vital in safeguarding the nation’s natural landscapes and public safety in these challenging times.