17 November 2025

95 MPs attend fireworks drop-in event at Westminster

Dr Neil Hudson MP
Dr Neil Hudson MP

95 MPs* from across the UK have attended a drop-in event at Westminster to talk about the effects of fireworks on animals and people, organised in part by us here at Redwings.

The Fireworks Impact Coalition**, made up of 19 animal and people-focussed charities – including us – who are all calling for change, organised the event which took place last Wednesday (12th November). It was sponsored by Sarah Owen, MP for Luton North, who is a passionate advocate for tighter fireworks regulation. 

 MPs attending were from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island and from across the political spectrum.

There was also celebrity support from TV personality and presenter and keen animal-advocate Kate Lawler, who attended at the RSPCA’s invitation.

Kate is one of over 171,000 people who have now signed Redwings’ UK Government and Parliament petition calling on the Government to reduce the maximum volume of consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.
 

Kate Lawler
Kate Lawler at the event

Helen Whitelegg, Redwings’ Campaigns and Policy Manager, said: “It was great to meet so many MPs and hear how supportive they are for current fireworks regulations to be reviewed and potentially overhauled. A lot of those who attended said they would be keen to support a parliamentary debate on the topic. At this time, we’re waiting to hear whether the Government will hold a debate following the level of support our petition has attracted.

“Once a UK Government and Parliament petition surpasses 100,000 signatures this must be considered, and there are now two petitions calling for better regulation of fireworks that have far exceeded the 100,000 signature threshold.

“There have been so many tragedies involving fireworks shared on social media and covered in the mainstream news over the past two weeks.

“A five-month old foal was impaled on some farming machinery in Riddlesden, West Yorkshire and died. A two-year-old horse suffered a broken leg and had to be put to sleep after a large firework display near their home in West Sussex. On Friday we spoke with an owner whose horse hit their head after being spooked by fireworks and x-rays have shown she has a broken jaw. Lucy isn't out of the woods yet and is facing eight weeks of soft food every few hours and continued veterinary support that will lead to significant cost.

“These are just some of the incidents involving horses that have happened this year, that we know about, as well as many devastating incidents involving dogs and other animals. Children and adults have been badly injured. Fireworks have been thrown at police.

“We have held events like this before but have never had as many MPs attend as we did last week and we thank them for coming.  

“A bland response from Government to these calls for change won’t be acceptable now. People want and need more effective restrictions on the use of fireworks in the UK, for people, animals and the environment.”
 

Danny Beales MP with Assistance Dogs UK at MP drop-in about fireworks
Danny Beales MP with Assistance Dogs UK
 
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 *The MPs or representatives of MPs who attended are:

Abena Oppong-Asare; Abtisam Mohamed; Adrian Ramsay; Alex Baker; Alex Ballinger; Alex McIntyre; Alison Hume; Amanda Martin; Andrew Cooper; Andrew George; Andrew Griffith; Andrew Pakes; Anna Dixon; Anna McMorrin; Antonia Bance; Baggy Shanker; Barnaby Whiteman; Cameron Thomas; Cat Eccles; Catherine Fookes; Chris Curtis; Chris Evans; Daniel Francis; Danny Beales; David Burton-Sampson; David Smith; Douglas McAllister; Edward Morello; Emma Lewell; Esther McVey; Freddie van Mierlo; Gagan Mohindra; Gareth Thomas; Graeme Downie; Gurinder Josan; Harpreet Uppal; Helen Maguire; Ian Byrne; Ian Lavery; Ian Sollom; Irene Campbell; James Naish; Jim Dickson; Jim Shannon; Jo Platt; John McDonnell; John Whitby; Jonathan Hinder; Jonathan Brash; Joy Morrissey; Judith Cummins; Juliet Campbell; Justin Madders; Katie White; Lee Dillon; Lisa Smart; Llinos Medi; Lola McEvoy; Lorraine Beavers; Manuela Perteghella; Mark Pritchard; Martin Wrigley; Mary Creagh; Mohammad Yasin; Neil Duncan-Jordan; Dr Neil Hudson; Sir Nicholas Dakin; Nick Timothy; Noah Law; Patricia Ferguson; Paul Davies; Paul Kohler; Pete Wishart; Peter Swallow; Phil Brickell; Rachael Maskell; Rachel Hopkins; Richard Baker; Robin Swann; Rosie Duffield; Ruth Jones; Samantha Niblett; Sarah Owen; Scott Arthur; Sharon Hodgson; Shokat Adam; Sir Gavin Williamson; Steve Yemm; Sureena Brackenridge; Susan Murray; Toby Perkins; Tom Morrison; Tulip Siddiq; Victoria Collins; Vikki Slade.

 

**The Fireworks Impact Coalition is made up of:

Assistance Dogs UK; Battersea; Blue Cross; Bravehound; British Burn Association; British Horse Society; British Veterinary Association; Children’s Burns Trust; Cats Protection; Combat Stress; Dogs Trust; Dan’s Fund for Burns; Help for Heroes; The Kennel Club; PTSD UK; Redwings Horse Sanctuary; RSPCA; Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS); Service Dogs UK.

 

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