Government issues 'permanent ban' warning for anyone using one type of barbecue

Government issues 'permanent ban' warning for anyone using one type of barbecue The Government confirmed it is considering the case for further restrictions The UK Government has given an update following its summer ban on the sale of a certain type of barbecue. The searingly hot summer seen across the UK this year led to a temporary ban on disposable barbecues over fears of wildfires. The ban was introduced in mid-August after a spate of fires which were blamed on disposable barbecues. The Government claimed they were a 'significant risk to the public' due to heatwaves and drought conditions. Those guidelines were withdrawn on October 22 but, with more hot and dry summers predicted due to climate change, questions have remained over the role of disposable barbecues in the future. Petition A petition launched on the Government website calling for a permanent ban has soared past the 10,0000 signatures required for a Government response. It claimed they are 'increasingly linked to preventable wildfires' and caused 'unnecessary waste'. It was launched on June 15 and reached 100 signatures on July 29. It now has 22,468 signatures at the time of writing. The full petition read: "We want the Government to introduce a nationwide ban on the sale of single-use disposable barbecues. Disposable BBQs are increasingly linked to preventable wildfires, which poses a serious risk to public safety, wildlife, and emergency services. Also, disposable BBQs contribute to unnecessary waste "With increasing pressure on waste management systems and growing climate-related fire risk, we believe action is needed to reduce avoidable harm caused by these products. We are therefore asking the Government to:1. Introduce a UK-wide ban on the sale of disposable BBQs2. Encourage safer, reusable alternatives through public guidance3. Work with retailers to support the transition away from single-use outdoor cooking products Permanent ban The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs response read: "The government takes public safety seriously and has taken steps to stop the sale of disposable barbecues at present to help reduce the risk of wildfires." It continued: "The government takes public safety very seriously and is aware of incidents involving disposable barbeques and the wider consequences such as wildfires, especially during the hot and dry spells during the summer. The Prime Minister recently urged the public to take extra care and consider the potential risks of open flames in outside spaces during this very dry and hot period. "The government exercised its powers under the General Product Safety Regulations to issue statutory guidelines which stopped the sale of disposable barbecues at present to help reduce the risk of wildfires. "The guidelines were published on GOV.UK (Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQs - GOV.UK) on 14 August and were brought to the attention of the British Retail Consortium, Association of Convenience Stores and relevant online platforms. Once the risk of fire has reduced to acceptable levels the guidelines will be withdrawn and businesses and stakeholders informed. "The government will consider the case for further restrictions, including a permanent ban, on the sale of disposable barbecues in the light of experience gained from the temporary ban introduced on 14 August. "In the meantime, local authorities have powers to restrict the use of disposable barbeques, using a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), made under Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Anyone who breaches the terms of a PSPO may be prosecuted in a magistrates' court, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction. Alternatively, local councils have powers to issue fixed penalty notices (on-the-spot fines) for littering of disposable barbeques of up to £750 from 1 September 2026. It is for individual councils to decide how and to what extent to use these powers. "The government is also supporting and enabling consumers to use disposable barbeques safely and responsibly. Information and advice on the safe use of barbeques is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the National Fire Chiefs Council through the Fire Kills campaign. "Government will continue to work across departments to ensure that safety messages are as effective, consistent and targeted as possible. In its role as national product regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) provides information and campaigns for consumers on how to stay safe. OPSS works with partners such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to raise awareness of the importance of using products safely and responsibly."