Burnham considers disposable barbecue ban amid wildfire risk

Burnham's statement follows actions by some retailers to withdraw single-use grills from sale and calls from the National Farmers' Union and London Fire Brigade for restrictions. The government has previously stated it has no plans for a blanket ban, instead focusing on product safety rules and empowering councils to ban them in high-risk areas. However, Labour MP Jon Pearce is working on legislation for a partial restriction, exempting portable barbecues that are taken away after use.

Research indicates that barbecues caused over 1,600 fires in England between 2020 and 2024. Greenpeace has urged the government to also address the broader climate crisis driven by fossil fuels, which exacerbates extreme temperatures. An emergency Cobra meeting is scheduled to discuss the government's response to the escalating heatwave and wildfire situation.