Fireworks 2024

It is difficult to manage the competing expectations and established freedoms of both those who enjoy firework displays and of pet owners and their animals.

My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are concerned by the issues that extremely loud fireworks can cause for people struggling with mental health issues (particularly PTSD) as well as for animals. We support the existing measures in place to minimise the disruption that can result from the use of fireworks but the party does not support further regulation of their sale or use.

Nevertheless, I personally feel this position should be kept under close review. The use of silent and low noise threshold fireworks which are just as visually dramatic, but less intrusive is a development which should be encouraged and there is a case for banning the loudest fireworks in specified areas where noise could cause particular harm. This should also include areas of sensitive wildlife habitat, as it is not just pets which are disturbed by these displays!

I am aware that considerations are being discussed in Parliament regarding decreasing the decibel limit for fireworks and the Liberal Democrats are open to a limit on the maximum noise level of fireworks, especially those sold to the public for private displays.  I will endeavour to support this development and discussions in Parliament should such an opportunity arise.