Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fireworks

Thursday 30 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Owen asked about antisocial fireworks causing disturbance and affecting vulnerable people.
  • The Minister offered to meet Owen and invited her to join meetings with interested groups.
  • Gagan Mohindra wished a belated happy Chinese new year and noted the diversity of celebrations using fireworks.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Crime & Law Enforcement Environment
Context

Sarah Owen raised concerns about antisocial fireworks causing distress to pets and vulnerable individuals, referencing a Westminster Hall debate on her Fireworks Bill.

Question

Antisocial fireworks keep our constituents awake, cause alarm for pets, and seriously affect people with post-traumatic stress disorder or special educational needs. I know the Minister heard extensively from colleagues, campaigners and charities on this during the Westminster Hall debate on my Bill. Will he meet me to discuss the implementation of the common-sense measures presented in my Fireworks Bill, including lowering the noise limit on fireworks sold to the public, closing the licensing loophole and reviewing social media and online sales?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Justin Madders)

It is always a pleasure to meet my hon. Friend and I am happy to do so. Indeed, we will see whether we can get her to come along to some of the other meetings that we are holding with interested groups, some of which she has mentioned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The noise limit on fireworks sold to the public and licensing loophole were not directly addressed.

How: Will See Whether We Can Get Her To Come Along

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Q2 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Religion & Faith Environment
Context

Mohindra highlighted the diversity of celebrations in South West Hertfordshire, including Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Chinese New Year, which often involve fireworks.

Question

May I wish a belated happy Chinese new year to all those who were celebrating yesterday? One beauty of our great country is its diversity, but with that comes causes for celebration throughout the year. My own community in South West Hertfordshire celebrates Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Chinese new year and other events, which often entails the use of fireworks. There is an expectation of fireworks and the noise associated with them at the main events of Christmas and new year, so pet owners inevitably take safeguarding measures then, but given the likelihood of fireworks throughout the year, may I urge the Minister to get on to this Bill quickly, ensuring that we do not stifle the celebrations, but that we do protect our animals and those vulnerable children who may be affected by noise?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Justin Madders)

I thank the hon. Member for his question. He is right to recognise that fireworks are used at a number of events throughout the year, but it would be wrong to characterise that as people having to expect that there will be noise. There is now a sufficient number of lower-decibel products on the market for everyone to act more responsibly, and we will be exploring that in our meetings over the coming weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The likelihood of fireworks throughout the year was acknowledged but not addressed directly.

How: It Would Be Wrong To Characterise

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