Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that a ban on disposable barbecues is being considered, as the UK faces a serious wildfire risk during a prolonged heatwave. Mr Burnham will chair an emergency Cobra committee meeting on Wednesday, August 12, in response to the exceptionally hot and dry weather that has led to five heatwaves this month.
Disposable BBQ ban considered to prevent wildfires
During a visit to Stevenage in Hertfordshire, Mr Burnham said single-use grills could be banned to help prevent fires. “There is obviously a significant problem of wildfires in the south,” the PM said. “The New Forest fire is a great concern; we have seen them in northern areas as well as Suffolk recently.”
He added: “This is a message for the public as well, because the wildfires I mentioned, many of them have been created by disposable barbecues.” Mr Burnham continued: “I do believe we need to get the message out loud and clear. People should not be using those barbecues outside at this moment in time.”
Prime Minister urges public caution
Mr Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir Starmer last month, has been on a policy blitz since entering No10. He said: “I don’t know yet what the remedy is, but 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.”
The meeting, announced by the government early on Wednesday, comes in response to the prolonged spell of hot and dry weather. The UK has experienced five heatwaves this month, with Mr Burnham urged to make the environment a priority now he is in Number 10.
Government response to heatwave crisis
Mr Burnham, the Makerfield MP, appointed eco-friendly former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to the Defence brief as part of his first Cabinet reshuffle. The Cobra meeting will address the immediate risks posed by the heatwave, including the threat of wildfires across the country.
As the UK continues to grapple with the heatwave, the Prime Minister's comments signal a potential regulatory change. The outcome of the Cobra meeting could lead to new restrictions on disposable barbecues, a move that would aim to reduce the number of fires and protect the countryside.
