The Firework Campaign has been hugely influential in getting the requisite number of signatures for a parliamentary debate on two #Fireworks petitions this autumn.
We monitor news of firework impact on people, animals and the environment, post the stories we find on this page and our Facebook page as evidence of what is really going on in the UK with fireworks, not the soft “everyone uses them responsibly” version the Government and the firework industry want you to believe.
When @UKParliament debate fireworks again next time and IF they ignore the compelling evidence we have gathered then the @UKLabour Government will be completely discrediting their own petition process - the first e-petitions facility was on the Number 10 Downing Street website, launched in November 2006 when Tony Blair was Prime Minister.
@10DowningStreet ignore these petitions and the evidence at your peril. There is a fast growing group of MPs from your own party, and other parties, clamouring for #fireworklawchange its time you did the right thing and improved the lives of millions of people and countless animals in the UK impacted by fireworks, not just on Bonfire Night, but for weeks before, after and in some cases all year round.
@peterkyle@ShabanaMahmood@SteveReedMP@EmmaforWycombe@KemiBadenoch@ZackPolanski@RupertLowe10@Nigel_Farage@EdwardJDavey@Keir_Starmer
The current petitions:
Limit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events only. Has nearly 180,000 signatures.
https://t.co/j6fRtAo6aU
Reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels. Has 170,000 signatures.
https://t.co/etQbhuOt56
@lmcolgan45604 Yes, it’s something conveniently ignored by firework fans. You don’t have to be a forces veteran to have PTSD, it can happen for a variety of reasons such as domestic abuse survivors, child abuse victims.
It’s important when debating #fireworks to remember that they can and do kill humans.
In the tragic case of Josephine Smith, the youths who murdered her with fireworks through her letterbox deliberately bought the fireworks to cause a nuisance, we know this because they told the retailer that’s what they wanted them for.
If those evil yobs hadn’t had access to fireworks she would be alive today. Josephine wasn’t there first and won’t be the last person to die this way.
In 2017 there was the still unsolved case of Tony Nicholls in Birmingham. Unidentified people burst into his home and set off a huge firework inside. Tony fled to an upstairs bedroom, an inquest found, but suffered unsurvivable burns before he died in hospital five days later.
@Kate_Dearden@peterkyle@10DowningStreet What other evidence do you need? How much more consultation is needed before you have enough death and misery to ban sales to the unlicensed public?
#fireworklawchange
Josephine Smith story https://t.co/NNaJFwFBNp
Tony Nicholls article https://t.co/IsRODK7Jt7
@vischa@Kate_Dearden They seem scared of the overwhelming evidence for some reason. Maybe it’s the pro #firework lobby whispering in the Government’s ear?
Who agrees with this headline? The #firework debate on Monday was extremely encouraging right up to the Minister’s reply at the end.
The minister, MP @Kate_Dearden said she understood the urgency, but was “not able to provide a timeline at this stage”, even when pushed by @_RobbieMoore MP who had earlier opened the debate.
“I assure members and advocacy groups that I have heard their concerns, and will be asking for better regulations and urgency for action. I will continue to seriously consider them as I look to further mitigate the negative impact of illegal and anti-social firework use,” she said.
“We will continue to gather evidence and hear from organisations, charities and campaigners to ensure that any changes to legislation are effective.” She concluded.
So there’s some encouraging words, but the announcement of evidence gathering and consultation just feels like a stalling tactic. The evidence is laid bare every firework season, it’s vividly demonstrated by our animals and verbalised by the people who witness the animal and human suffering that fireworks cause.
The other MPs who spoke, so eloquently put the evidence before the minister, it beggars belief that there’s any need to delay #fireworklawchange for more evidence gathering.
Enough is definitely enough! @UKLabour@Conservatives@TheGreenParty@reformparty_uk@LibDems
Read the full article here: https://t.co/9pHEFhZHpD
During the #firework debate on Monday 19th January, many MPs presented rafts of evidence about anti-social and illegal use of fireworks, and the effect they have on animals and people.
However, not much was included about the excessive legal use of fireworks by people innocently celebrating evens - birthdays, christenings, weddings, even deaths. Strung together and coupled with illegal use, these legally used fireworks contribute to the misery just as much, but these are the ones the authorities can do nothing about and police are not interested in turning out for. The point is, all loud fireworks, no matter how they are being used cause damage and or misery to something or someone.
This is why the Firework Campaign have supported both the petitions-reduce the decibel level to reduce impact of all fireworks AND stop the sales of fireworks to the unlicensed public, not just to prevent antisocial/illegal use, but to reduce all use. We continue to campaign for both for the sake of vulnerable people, ALL animals and peace on our streets and in our homes.
#fireworklawchange
@RSPCA_PATeam@RedwingsHS @BritishHorse @BritishVets@BlueCrossPA@Battersea_@bravehounds @CatsProtection @CBTofficial@CombatStress@DansFund4Burns@DogsTrust@HelpforHeroes@TheKennelClubUK@PTSDUk@ServiceDogsUK
The #firework debate has taken place in Westminster Hall, led by the excellent @_RobbieMoore and with many amazing contributions from MPs across the house.
Having watched previous firework debates this one felt like a corner has been turned-the hall was fuller, the contributions were more passionate and evidenced and the whole proceedings left us with a far more positive feeling than from previous years with many of the contributors supporting both a reduction in decibel limit AND a restriction on sales of fireworks to license holders only.
Unfortunately the Minister @Kate_Dearden refused to be pushed on timescales for change, despite being reminded that if any changes to legislation are made they need to be made by November this year. This is a strong indication that our work is not done. What was clear is that MPs DO take note of your letters, nearly all the speakers mentioned how many people write to them about #fireworks.
We would like to thank all the MPs who supported the petitions today by speaking so eloquently and passionately on behalf of their constituents.
You can read a transcript here https://t.co/xHpvQYYGKV
You can watch the debate here: https://t.co/zF1M9jUz5b
Let us know your thoughts below.
#fireworklawchange
@freya_woolrich@_RobbieMoore Not everything gets into the press so we don’t see it. What we report on here will be a fraction of the dangerous or nuisance incidents.
30th November and animals and people are still suffering from firework noise. The right to set them off 365 days of the year has to be changed to certain defined dates only @Keir_Starmer. Will your Govt have the courage to do what is right? #fireworklawchange
@fireworkreform 30th of November and it sounds like The Somme here 🙈 the dogs are cowering under the table. One of them is so scared she wet herself 😔 why are people setting extremely loud fireworks off now. (Pictured little dog when she isn’t scared half to death)
The #firework debate at Westminster was full of well evidenced speeches, a lot of MPs who spoke had done their homework and many directly quoted their constituents experiences, some were quite shocking.
Sadly the Minister’s response at the end of the debate contained no plan and no timetable for change, she just stated they would “gather the evidence”, despite having just listened to the evidence presented by the MPs who spoke.
If the Minister wants to gather evidence it’s up to us to provide it, here is her email address to write to: [email protected] If you do write, please keep your evidence factual and polite. A few thousand emails now with testimony from real people would keep the pressure on.
@Kate_Dearden@_RobbieMoore
#fireworklawchange
If you use Facebook head over to @_RobbieMoore page, he’s asking for your #firework comments ahead of the Parliamentary debate today at 4.30. The MP for Keighley and Ilkley will be opening the debate this afternoon on behalf of all firework campaigners.
Full debate details including a link to watch live here: https://t.co/zF1M9jUz5b
#fireworklawchange
The most important #firework debate of the past 10 years is happening on 19th January at Westminster. Have you written to your MP yet? No excuse if you haven’t, the link is in this post.
The petition is now over 192,000!!
#fireworklawchange
We’ve got the #firework debate! 19th January is the date set.
Now is another opportunity to influence proceedings by asking your MP to attend. Tell them why they should attend and include your own #local experience and testimony where you can.
A good starting point for your letter is to attack the notion that most people use fireworks responsibly. What does responsibly mean in relation to vulnerable people, animals, wildlife, the environment and our right to live in peace in our homes? Is any firework use actually responsible in relation to these things?
If we want change, we ALL must act, don’t leave it to everyone else. Please write today, using this link https://t.co/FiZ8nBdOxz
#fireworklawchange
The #fireworks debate will be held in Westminster Hall on Monday 19 January 2026 at 4.30pm lead by @_RobbieMoore You can watch live here: https://t.co/o6tCZDSsFl
Thank you to everyone who has written to the MP and signed the two petitions.
Both petitions are still open to sign if you haven’t already done so:
Reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels: https://t.co/etQbhuOt56
Limit the sale of fireworks to those running local council approved events only: https://t.co/j6fRtAo6aU
#fireworklawchange
@jackie_jury@_RobbieMoore You only have to be 18 to buy #fireworks and there’s nothing to stop an 18 year old buying them on behalf of younger kids. The police are unable to stop that.