Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has urged the Government to take decisive action on fireworks regulation after reports a national consultation on tougher laws is set to be launched.
Mr Moore, who has led calls for fireworks reform in Parliament as part of the Petitions Committee on behalf of nearly half a million petitioners across the UK, welcomed the consultation but warned it must not become “a consultation for consultation’s sake”.
In December, two petitions led by the MP – one calling for reducing the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels, and the other in support of limiting the sale of fireworks to those running local council-approved events only – reached more than 376,000 signatures taken together.
A survey by the Social Market Foundation think tank in 2024 found that only 15 per cent of the public were satisfied with the existing regulatory framework for the use of traditional fireworks, while 91 per cent of respondents were open to partial replacement of traditional fireworks with ‘alternative’ displays like lasers, drones, or silent fireworks.
The Government is expected to examine potential changes including reducing noise limits, tightening rules on lower-risk fireworks, and reviewing the public sale of fireworks amid growing concerns over anti-social behaviour and harm to vulnerable people and animals.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“We’ve all seen the devastating effects of fireworks misuse across Keighley. They disturb the peace of entire neighbourhoods, terrify pets, and leave vulnerable people trapped in their own homes throughout the year and late at nights.
"Public support for change on fireworks is overwhelming. In the last two years alone, I have had the honour of leading two major petitions debates in Parliament on behalf of nearly half a million people across the UK who want to see tougher regulation. I've met campaigners and families who's lives have been shattered by fireworks misuse.
"We know the harm that misuse causes, we know the challenges with enforcement and we know the public want change. What we now need now is proper action from the government. This cannot be a consultation for consultation’s sake.
"That means looking seriously at measures such as reducing noise limits, restricting sales, and ensuring proper enforcement. So while I welcome the fact the Government is now looking at this issue, it is absolutely essential that this consultation leads to real action and not even more delay.”
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