Burnham says disposable BBQ ban under consideration

Andy Burnham, the UK's shadow chancellor, has indicated the government could consider banning disposable barbecues due to heightened wildfire risks from this summer's droughts. Prime Minister stressed that single-use grills have caused recent fires and urged people to avoid using them until conditions improve. Some retailers have already stopped selling the devices, which have previously faced warnings from fire chiefs.

Burnham is chairing an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the government's response to record temperatures. Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales are under drought declarations, creating conditions conducive to fire spread. The Met Office issued an amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach highs of 38C in the Midlands and south-east of England.

During a visit to Stevenage, Burnham emphasized the need for people to exercise caution in the countryside, both regarding cigarettes and temporary barbecues, which pose a fire risk. It remains unclear whether the government plans to restrict the sale or use of disposable BBQs. The National Farmers Union and some Liberal Democrats have also called for restrictions, while councils like Brighton & Hove and Fylde have used public space protection orders to ban single-use grills in public areas.