In addition to the MPs who attended the Firework Impact Coalition drop-in event and those who have signed EDM 2138 tabled by Imran Hussain, the MPs listed below have all asked questions of ministers relating to fireworks this year. This proves your emails are working. Please keep writing, even if you get the disappointing standard reply. You can use https://www.writetothem.com/ or send the RSPCA’s standard letter which you can edit to include your personal views: https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks
If you’re struggling with what to write we have lots of tips for you, click here
The government’s responses to both petitions are, regrettably, designed in a way that discourages public support rather than addressing legitimate concerns.
We challenge their assertion that “the majority of individuals who use fireworks do so in a responsible and safe manner.” This claim overlooks the reality that most UK gardens in densely populated areas are far too small to meet the minimum safety distance of 8 metres, let alone the 25 metres required for Category F3 fireworks, which are commonly favoured by enthusiasts.
Reporting illegal use presents significant challenges. Call handlers often lack knowledge of the relevant legislation and frequently redirect complainants to local councils, who in turn refer them back again. Enforcement is notoriously difficult, with prosecutions rare and police forces reluctant to record incidents. As a result, there is no meaningful data available for MPs to consider. Unless MPs witness the misuse of fireworks firsthand, they continue to operate under the mistaken belief that no problem exists.
We urge you to continue sharing both petitions (links below) and to sign them if you haven’t already done so. In addition, please keep writing to your MP, providing details of your own experiences and referencing media reports, so that the scale of the issue cannot be ignored
The event held by the Firework Impact Coalition on 12 November 2025 gave MPs the chance to hear from some of the bigger charities how fireworks affect their members. It was a great success with 94 MPs attending (full list below). If your MP is on the list please drop them a line to thank them: https://www.writetothem.com/
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
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
Sir Gavin Williamson
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 Brash
Jonathan Hinder
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
Peter Swallow
Pete Wishart
Phil Brickell
Rachael Maskell
Rachel Hopkins
Richard Baker
Robin Swann
Rosie Duffield
Ruth Jones
Samantha Niblett
Sarah Owen
Scott Arthur
Sharon Hodgson
Shockat Adam
Steve Yemm
Sureena Brackenridge
Susan Murray
Toby Perkins
Tom Morrison
Tulip Siddiq
Victoria Collins
Vikki Slade
Find out more about the Firework Impact Coalition and how you can support them: https://www.aflr.co.uk/
How much difference would reducing the maximum noise level to 90db make?
The difference between 90db and 120db is significant in terms of actual sound intensity, perceived loudness and the associated risk of hearing damage. The decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear, meaning that small numerical increases represent large physical changes in sound intensity.
Intensity: Every increase of 10db represents a tenfold increase in sound intensity. Therefore 120db is 1,000 times more intense than 90db.
Perceived Loudness: (or volume) roughly doubles with every 10db increase. Therefore 120db is perceived as eight times as loud as 90db.
With sincere thanks to Holly Leake of Paw Chores for allowing us to reproduce her content here
I am really tired of the hurtful comments directed at those who have dogs with a fear of fireworks. There are so many accusing dog guardians of neglecting to socialise and train their dog or they are insinuating it is the guardian’s response to the fireworks that makes the dog so afraid. This is despite the fact that dogs (and other animals) across the UK are having heart attacks, seizures and strokes, some of which have been fatal. How can a dog guardian’s response to fireworks possibly elicit such an extreme reaction to fireworks?
And if this is the cause of such extreme fear, what accounts for the deaths of wildlife and farm animals? Are there people ‘coddling’ them too? Let’s not forget dogs in rescue shelters. If it’s our response that creates this fear, then why do rescue dogs show extreme anxiety and try to escape their kennels? They are in there alone most of the time. Such heartless comments are baseless since studies show that there are many factors that contribute to noise sensitivity and a fear of fireworks, as seen below.
Genetics
A study involving over 13,700 dogs in Finland discovered that around 32% of dogs had sound sensitivities and 26% were afraid of fireworks. The scientists in this study also identified a genetic predisposition to a fear of fireworks (Salonen, M. 2020) Blackwell et al. (2013) discovered that twelve breeds or breed types were less likely to show fear responses to noises than cross-breeds and their data suggest that some breeds may be predisposed to fear of loud noises, including fireworks.( Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) Thus, your dog may be afraid of fireworks, due to their genetics.
Pain & health conditions
A study showed that dogs that experienced muscle or bone pain were more sensitive to sudden noises, loud noises and different pitches than dogs who were noise-sensitive but didn’t have pain. (Lopes Fagundes 2018) The same study found that the average age of onset for noise sensitivity in dogs differed between groups. In clinical cases (with pain), the average onset of noise sensitivity was 5 years and 7 months.
“Although the average ages of the dogs at presentation were similar, the average age of onset of the problem was nearly 4 years later in the “clinical cases.” This strong theme of an older age of onset suggests that the pain may develop later in life and that owners seek treatment more readily, perhaps because the appearance of the problem is out of character in the subject. The average age of onset within the control population also suggests that the problem does not simply relate to a lack of habituation as a puppy and that other mechanisms need to be considered for many cases.” (Lopes Fagundes 2018)
Other health conditions can also trigger noise phobias. Conditions such as endocrine diseases, cardiopulmonary disease, neurological problems, and cognitive dysfunction, can potentially contribute to or exacerbate behavioural problems including noise fears. (Bowen J. 2008) So both pain and health conditions can cause a fear of fireworks.
Age
Studies show that fearfulness is most common in dogs aged 4-8 years and that noise sensitivity often increases with age., ( Milla Salonen 2020) Another study that supports this shows that the average age of onset of noise phobias developed around 4 years 7 months of age. Dogs progressing through adolescence also go through a second fear period from around 10-12 months of age. At this time of development, dogs can develop new fears and phobias, including noises like fireworks. As a dog reaches their senior years, ill health and conditions such as cognitive dysfunction disorder (dog dementia) can also cause anxiety, fear-related behaviours and noise sensitivities.
Anxiety
Studies show that dogs most fearful of noises also presented with a higher chance of separation-related anxiety and being fearful in novel situations. These dogs also took much longer to decompress after a stressful event compared to dogs less fearful of noises. (Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015.) It makes sense that if your dog is already struggling with anxiety, that they are more likely to develop noise phobias.
Survival Instinct
“An extreme avoidance response to a loud firework going off unexpectedly nearby, given the salience of this event and its unpredictability for the animal, can be interpreted as adaptive (‘rational’), an argument which has also been applied to extreme fear responses in humans”. (Davey, 1995) From a survival point of view, it is logical for dogs and other animals to respond in fear to explosions. Why wouldn’t they? They can’t reason that it’s harmless.
It should be noted that studies have found that dogs that attend training classes are less likely to be afraid of fireworks however, it is unknown why this would be the case, as exposure to fireworks sounds is not usually part of the curriculum.
Many dogs have been desensitized to fireworks as puppies and have been adequately trained and socialized, and yet they still develop a fear of fireworks. The fact that dogs don’t develop this fear until around the age of 4 proves that often the fear is due to over-exposure, trauma, anxiety or health issues. If it was solely due to a lack of training or due to the dog guardians’ response to the fear, we would likely see the phobia developing much earlier in the dog’s life.
Therefore, it is hurtful and completely speculative to blame guardians for a dog’s phobia of fireworks. The real blame rests on the shoulders of those who continue to set off loud fireworks, knowing for well the suffering it causes to dogs, pets, wildlife, and even people. – Holly Leake
Huge thanks to my friends at Canine Principles for their help finding studies on the subject.
References
Bowen J. Firework Fears and Phobias. UK Vet Companion Anim. 2008;13:59–63. doi: 10.1111/j.2344-3862.2008.tb00529.x. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
Camps T., Amat M., Manteca X. A Review of Medical Conditions and Behavioral Problems in Dogs and Cats. Animals. 2019;9:1133. doi: 10.3390/ani9121133. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar
Lopes Fagundes AL, Hewison L, McPeake KJ, Zulch H, Mills DS. Noise Sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Feb 13;5:17. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00017. PMID: 29487858; PMCID: PMC5816950.
Linn Mari Storengen, Frode Lingaas 2015. Noise sensitivity in 17 dog breeds: Prevalence, breed risk and correlation with fear in other situations Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S. et al. Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Sci Rep 10, 2962 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
Now we’re going to try something that’s never been achieved before:
There’s never been 2 live government firework petitions over 100k. Let’s make this year the year it happens. To do this we need your help. So please make sure you sign and share this petition too:
Sarah Owen MP has issued an update on her Fireworks Bill:
“So what’s happening to my Fireworks Bill?
You might have noticed that the Fireworks Bill was down to be debated on 31 October 2025 – but as Parliament is not sitting, it’s been moved to a new day. We don’t know when or if it’ll get a debate – we can’t wait, so I’m carrying on the campaign. During this firework season, I have:
Kept in ongoing contact with Bedfordshire Police and Luton Council to ensure fireworks complaints are being actioned and monitored & information about firework use is distributed.
Written to supermarkets asking them to stop their shop displays promoting fireworks.
Sponsoring an event in Parliament for the Fireworks Impact Coalition, which will be on the 12th November – if you’re not in Luton North, please encourage your MP to go. This is a nationwide issue.
Secured a meeting with the new Minister responsible to get an in-person update on how fireworks legislation is being reviewed.
Working alongside animal, armed forced and mental health charities to spread the word about our campaign to limit the sale of the loudest fireworks.
It’s been over a year since I introduced my Bill to Parliament. In that time, the problem hasn’t gone away, and I know in Luton, it feels like it’s getting worse.
I continue to push for common-sense changes to our fireworks laws. To end the licensing loophole, ban the loudest from public sale & limit their use to licensed pyrotechnic professionals in organised displays.”
Fireworks cause distress and anxiety to many people and animals. This can lead to injuries and death.
The Firework Campaign has been campaigning on behalf of those adversely affected by fireworks in the UK since 2013. During this time we have heard from numerous human and animal charities about how fireworks affect their members.
Some of the bigger charities have now come together to form the Firework Impact Coalition to ask the government for legislation reform read more …
If you run a charity, not for profit organisation or business
We Want Your Voice To Be Heard
Introducing The Association for Firework Legislation Reform (AFLR). Our mission is to gather support from the wide range of charities, organisations, groups and individuals who are all, in one way or another, negatively affected by the extreme overuse of fireworks today. We hope to improve the welfare of vulnerable members of society, as well as domestic, agricultural and wild animals, whilst balancing people’s right to enjoy fireworks read more …
We ask for nothing more than your endorsement and would love to add your organisation to the growing list of supporters.
“With more than 45,000 people having signed our petition in just seven weeks, we know that there is enormous public support for Redwings’ call to simply reduce the maximum noise level of fireworks from 120 decibels to 90 decibels.
All petitions that achieve 10,000 responses receive a government response and we have now received that response. Everyone who has already signed the petition should have been sent an email notification with the government’s statement.
Redwings is disappointed but unsurprised to read that at this stage the government is continuing to focus on the need to promote responsible use of fireworks within current regulations.
Unfortunately, we believe that this approach is ineffective and places an impractical burden on firework users themselves to fully understand the multiple negative impacts a single display may have and make fully informed decisions as a result.
Loud fireworks can cause significant distress to horses, dogs, cats, other pets, livestock, military veterans, people living with PTSD, sensory issues such as autism or neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy. Without knowledge of every person and animal in the vicinity of a planned display and how fireworks may affect them, we do not think it is possible for organisers to prevent possible harm.
While we welcome the government’s efforts to raise awareness of the potential impact of fireworks, we don’t feel the messages are strong or clear enough to adequately convey the level of risk even legal use of fireworks involves and how important it is that those considering using fireworks take steps to mitigate those risks. We are also unsure that these messages will reach enough people to make a difference.
We feel strongly that by only making low-noise fireworks available to the public, far greater protection from distress to animals, people and wildlife is achieved, while allowing those who wish to use fireworks to celebrate to do so.
We welcome the government’s commitment to engaging with charities like Redwings and other organisations who are calling for better regulation of fireworks. We have already shared evidence of the impact fireworks can have on horses and their owners through our Fireworks and Horses survey report and attended a meeting with the Department of Business and Trade earlier this year. We have also shown that the Animal Welfare Act does not offer adequate protection against incidences of inadvertent suffering to animals caused by fireworks in our ground-breaking report published in 2024.
As the evidence and support for regulatory change continue to increase, it is becoming notably harder for the government to avoid meaningful action on this issue. On reaching 100,000 petition signatures we are confident of triggering a parliamentary debate which will provide an opportunity to engage in more detail on the many reasons why there is no longer a place for excessively loud fireworks in our inclusive and animal-loving society.
If you haven’t already signed the petition, please add your name today and share as widely as you can to help us achieve our 100,000 signature target. Thank you.”
Fireworks are a year-round issue, but they become especially problematic during Fireworks Season – a term the Government itself has coined for this period. Yet, despite the escalation in noise, danger, and distress, officials still claim there’s no real problem with fireworks.
Since 2013, the Firework Campaign has been fighting to raise awareness and push for change. Over the years, we’ve achieved significant milestones: six debates in Westminster Hall, a comprehensive inquiry by the Petitions Committee in 2019, and the Scottish consultation that led to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.
While these victories mark progress in Scotland, no similar changes have been made in England and Wales. So, we asked ourselves: where do we go from here?
Initially, our efforts were met with hostility – firework enthusiasts often bullied and intimidated us, discouraging charities from supporting the cause. Thankfully, that dynamic has shifted. Our persistent campaigning has brought the serious harm caused by fireworks into the public eye, empowering charities to speak out about the distress and danger they cause.
In response, a coalition has formed – the Firework Impact Coalition (formerly known as the Fireworks Working Group) – comprising various charities united to lobby the Government for change. Recognizing the importance of collective action, we established the Association for Firework Legislation Reform (AFLR) to rally support from organisations, groups, businesses and individuals affected by excessive firework use to support the Firework Impact Coalition.
We need as many voices as possible – charities, businesses, community groups – to back AFLR. Demonstrating widespread concern is crucial to convincing policymakers to implement meaningful restrictions and regulations.
We have a growing list of supporters but we can’t do this alone. We need your help. Please reach out and talk to local organisations about joining AFLR.
