Households with wood burners could face fines of up to £5,000 under proposed new rules under Labour.
Households with wood burners could face fines this winter (Image: Getty)
UK households with wood burners could face fines of up to £5,000 for breaking proposed rules being discussed by the Labour government. Andy Burnham seeks to introduce stricter regulations on solid-fuel heating, with the government recently unveiling a consultation regarding its Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). These policies aim to reduce pollution levels, which includes changes to rules around wood burners.
The proposed plans say that manufacturers of wood burners would be prevented from selling older models unless they comply with new standards, although burners currently in operation would not be banned retrospectively. The proposals also suggest that Smoke Control Areas could become even more stringent. It comes as councils across the country have announced plans to extend these areas, meaning that more households will be unable to emit smoke from their chimneys and buy or sell unauthorised fuel for use in a smoke control area.
Norwich and Brighton & Hove are among the council areas that have revealed intentions to implement such expansions.
Following the release of the revised EIP, the government is set to hold a consultation on measures to lessen the environmental impact of public burning of wood, including stoves and bonfires.
However, it has been stated that the consultation will seek to “minimise the impact” of these modifications on those who require wood burning, and introduce measures that will allow people to still honour traditional celebrations such as Bonfire Night and Diwali.
The government has set out its aim of reducing PM2.5 emissions, which is a fine particulate pollutant associated with asthma, lung disease and heart conditions. The goal is to reduce it by 30% by 2030, measured against 2018 levels.
It comes as the World Health Organisation regards PM2.5 as the most damaging pollutant to human health. Official data revealed that a fifth of PM2.5 emissions in 2023 originated from domestic combustion.
There are no current prohibitions on wood burners in the UK, but penalties can be issued for incorrect usage. For households with wood burners, burning unauthorised fuel in an appliance not featured on the DEFRA-exempt list could result in a £1,000 fine.
Additionally, fines could reach as much as £5,000 for those who repeatedly offend if cases make it to court.
British households are being encouraged to explore cleaner, low-carbon options instead of wood burners, such as electric heating and heat pumps.
The WHO says that air pollution causes 6.7 million premature deaths annually, with evidence connecting exposure to various debilitating health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and asthma.