21 January 2026

58 MPs spoke at the full-to-bursting fireworks debate

Graphic of fireworks with the Redwings logo, text reads "Our fireworks petition was debated in parliament!"

We are so thankful to everyone who has signed our fireworks petition! We are pleased that 58 MPs spoke at the fireworks debate on Monday (19th January), but we need your help to keep the pressure on!

Our UK Government and Parliament petition was one of two which were the subject of a three-hour scheduled session, in a full-to-bursting chamber at Westminster Hall, London.

Our call for changes to legislation to limit the maximum noise level of consumer fireworks has reached over 183,000 signatures. A petition started by dog owner Robert Branch calling for fireworks to be restricted to council-run events has reached over 194,000.

Watch a recording of the live debate here.  

 

Helen Whitelegg, Campaigns and Policy Manager at Redwings, said: “The debate was extremely well attended and overwhelmingly positive about the need for urgent change. In fact, there wasn’t a single voice in opposition present.

“Powerful stories of tragic incidents and traumatic experiences were shared by MPs including those involving animals, like King, the foal who became impaled on farm machinery in Riddlesden, West Yorkshire, because of fireworks.  

“Lizzie Collinge MP told of her constituent Stephen, whose previous guide dog, so frightened by fireworks, dragged him across a main road in a desperate attempt to get away from the noise.

“Sarah Dyke MP told of twenty cattle who were frightened and escaped when fireworks were let off near a dairy farm. One heavily pregnant cow died, another had to have treatment and never recovered.

“Helen Maguire MP shared her own experience of being an army veteran triggered by the noise of fireworks after her return from Iraq.

“Robbie Moore MP, who introduced the debate, told of elderly men with Alzheimer’s disease trying to leave their care home because they felt unsafe, while others were crying and distressed.  

“Calvin Bailey MP spoke about an incident of anti-social behaviour where fireworks were thrown at a woman and her small children on a high street. The children spent the evening cowering under a table, suffering trauma.

“There was a lot of passion and frustration during the discussion, reflecting the perceived lack of Government action on this issue and the almost annual scheduling of a petition debate.”

 

Justin Madders MP said: “We have had these debates year on year. I remember being sat across the Chamber while we were in opposition, I remember being sat in the Minister’s seat a year ago, and now I am here again. Every year, we get more and more Members attending, and more and more members of the public demanding change. I think the case has been made that it is now time to act.”

Read the full transcript of the live debate here.  

 

The Minister present, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kate Dearden, was unable to give a timeline or strategy of what will happen next but assured those present that she had heard their concerns and would be asking for better regulations and urgency of action. She said: “We will continue to gather evidence and continue to hear from organisations, charities and campaigners to ensure that any changes to legislation are effective.”

Though this may have been disappointing, Helen says it was not unexpected: “The aim of a debate like this is to get this evidence in front of a Minister, which we achieved thanks to everyone who has supported us by signing our petition and contacting their representatives.

“As frustrating as it is for all of us who care about this issue, change takes time and the Minister has indicated her willingness to meet with us, which we’ll of course be taking her up on.  

“We’ll be continuing to work with Robert, who started the other petition after his family dog became so terrified of fireworks they had to move house, and Alan Smith, who has been a tireless campaigner since his mother was killed by a firework posted through her door, both of whom we’ve been brought together with through this work.  

“We’re an active part of the Fireworks Impact Coalition of 19 charities, highlighting the impact of fireworks on people as well as horses and other animals and will be continuing to contribute to research and data collection so that we can evidence the impact of fireworks.”

Helen added: “We have lots of activities planned for 2026 and encourage people to sign up to our campaigns mailing list to receive updates and find out how to get involved.

“Campaign supporters have got us this far and we need their help to keep up the pressure. Keep signing relevant petitions. Don’t sign fewer, sign more, and keep writing to your MP.”

To find out more about our work on fireworks please visit: www.redwings.org.uk/fireworks 

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