High Peak MP welcomes Prime Minister's decision to consider ban on disposable barbecues

Jon Pearce has long campaigned to remove disposable barbecues from the stores in and around the High Peak - now the matter has been discussed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The Prime Minister said the single-use charcoal grills could be prohibited as he called an emergency Cobra meeting in response to Britain’s summer heatwaves.

Speaking to reporters on a visit to Stevenage, Mr Burnham said he was “certainly going to consider” a disposable barbecue ban because many wildfires had been created by them.

“People should not be using those barbecues outside at this moment in time,” he said.

Mr Peace said: “It is hugely welcome that the Prime Minister has said he will consider imposing a ban on disposable barbecues.

“He is right that the message needs to go out loud and clear that people should not be using disposable barbecues in public places at this time.”

The announcement comes after a summer of devastating wildfires across the UK, including major fires in High Peak which have destroyed hundreds of hectares of protected moorland, damaged wildlife habitats and required a significant response from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and partner agencies.

Mr Pearce has been campaigning for action on disposable barbecues after securing commitments from major retailers to remove them from sale in High Peak.

Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Co-op and Tesco have all agreed to stop selling disposable barbecues in their stores nationally following his campaign.

B&M has so far refused to remove disposable barbecues from sale, despite thegrowing evidence of the wildfire risk they pose.

Now Mr Pearce is urging the retailer to reconsider its position and join the growing number of retailers taking action to protect our countryside.

Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose and M&S had already stopped selling disposable barbecues in 2022.

Mr Pearce said: “I am grateful to all the national retailers who supported my campaign to suspend the sale of disposable barbecues this summer.

“But we need to be in a better place next summer. Last year was the worst on record for wildfires. This year will surpass it.

“We need to accept our climate has changed and put in place measures to adapt, and one of those is banning the use of disposable barbecues in public places.

“With the Prime Minister’s support on this, we can reduce the risks of wildfire and protect our precious environment.”

Mr Pearce is continuing to call for legislation to ban the use of disposable barbecues in public spaces, while welcoming the Prime Minister’s support for considering further action.