- The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged the government to grant local authorities powers to ban wood-burning stoves, bonfires, and solid fuel burning in private homes and gardens.
- The proposed measures aim to establish zero-emissions zones across the capital to further reduce toxic air pollution.
- The request follows research from University College London warning that indoor wood burning releases dangerous PM2.5 particles, causing health damage similar to cigarette smoke.
- Defra confirmed it supports a consultation on devolving powers to limit solid fuel burning in densely populated, high-pollution areas like London.
- Sir James Cleverly criticised the proposal, arguing the Mayor should focus on policing and city growth rather than introducing new red tape and bans.
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