UK Heatwave: Government Considers Ban on Disposable Barbecues to Prevent Wildfires
The UK government is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to prevent wildfires during the ongoing heatwave. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the government will look into the possibility of banning these barbecues, which have been identified as a cause of several serious fires in recent years.
## Wildfires Rage Across the UK The UK is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38C in some areas. The heat has led to widespread wildfires, with several major fires reported in the New Forest in Hampshire and Dunwich Heath in Suffolk. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has also issued a warning for a very high risk of wildfire across the eastern Highlands, eastern and southern Scotland. ## Government Considers Ban on Disposable Barbecues Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that the government will consider banning disposable barbecues to prevent wildfires. Burnham has said that the government is "certainly going to consider" a ban on these barbecues, which have been identified as a cause of several serious fires in recent years. The move comes as the government faces criticism for its handling of the heatwave and the resulting wildfires. ## Health Secretary Calls for Preparation for Heatwaves Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for the NHS to start preparing for heatwaves in the same way it prepares for winter. Cooper has stated that global heating means Britain will face heatwaves like the one it is experiencing now "with increasing frequency and increasing intensity." She has told the NHS to start drawing up summer plans now, in the way it has traditionally done for winter. ## Farmers Face Worst Harvest on Record The heatwave has also had a devastating impact on farmers, with most of England in drought and crops dying in the fields. The Country Land and Business Association has stated that farmers are facing the worst harvest on record, with warnings of food price rises to come. The association has called for the government to reform the planning system for building reservoirs, which it says is making it slow and costly for farmers to build on-farm reservoirs. ## Heat Pumps Offer Relief Some individuals have found relief from the heat using heat pumps, which transfer heat energy from one place to another. Andrew Ingram, who lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire, has said that his heat pump has been a "revelation" and has been an "absolute lifeline" during the heatwave.
