Andy Burnham has said he is "certainly going to consider" banning single-use BBQ grills as the UK faces a wildfire "national emergency" amid record temperatures and drought.
Record Heat and Drought
The fifth heatwave of the summer is on track to be the UK's hottest on record, leaving nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales in drought. This week's high temperatures continue to heap pressure on water resources for households, agriculture and the environment.
This summer's parched conditions have already seen firefighting teams struggling to tackle wildfires nationwide, with a third in Greater Manchester this week.
Burnham's Call for Caution
Mr Burnham said people should not be using single-use BBQ grills "at this time" amid a "significant problem" of wildfires in the south, where a blaze hit protected heathland in the New Forest, Hampshire.
He added: "I do believe we need to get the message out loud and clear. People should not be using those barbecues outside at this moment in time. I don't know yet what the remedy is, but I do want to leave the meeting today with a loud and clear message that we do want people to take the greatest possible care when they are out in the countryside, both in terms of cigarettes, but also those temporary barbecues that we know are causing risk of fires."
Your Say
What do you think, should the Prime Minister ban disposable BBQs to combat the risk of further wildfires in the UK? Have your say.
