Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been issued to local authorities on reducing the risk of fires caused by disposable barbecues.

Fire and rescue services have been responding to an exceptionally challenging period of wildfire activity, with multiple significant incidents being managed simultaneously across England and Wales.

Measures have been taken to reduce wildfire risk including the ban on the sale of disposable barbecues introduced on 14 August as well as the use of the emergency alert system within parts of the UK. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government also wrote to local authorities across England reminding them of the powers available to restrict activities that could increase fire risk, including the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders to limit barbecues, campfires and other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas.

This sits alongside wider measures including advice being made more visible through, including social media during high-risk periods, the Cabinet Office Prepare website, the Fire Kills campaign and StayWise, the NFCC-led education platform.

The Government will continue to consider whether further measures are needed, including through the Wildfire Summit announced by the Prime Minister, taking place in autumn.