Now Labour wants to ban 'noisy' fireworks from shops as ministers push plans to slash decibel level of rockets by 50%

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 12:41, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 12:45, 16 July 2026 Noisier fireworks could be banned from sale in shops under Labour proposals to slash the decibel level of publicly-available rockets. The Government today announced plans to prohibit the purchase of noisier fireworks by the general public. Ministers have proposed reducing the perceived noise of fireworks that can be sold in shops by around 50 per cent. This would see the permitted decibel level cut from 120 to 110, which is said to be equivalent to the noise of a car horn or a pneumatic drill. Kate Dearden, the consumer protection minister, said the Government's plans are aimed at tackling the 'key harms' from fireworks. There are currently periods around Guy Fawkes night, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year, and Diwali when fireworks can be sold from non-specialist shops, such as supermarkets like Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, and Tesco. At all other times of the year, pyrotechnics can only be sold by stores holding a licence. Category F1, F2 and F3 fireworks are available to the public, while category F4 fireworks are for professional use only. The current maximum permitted noise level for F1, F2 and F3 fireworks available to consumers is 120 A-weighted decibels, measured using the impulse time weighting (dBAimp). The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has proposed reducing this to 110 dBAimp. But it is also seeking views, through a public consultation, on whether it should be reduced even further to 90 dBAimp, which is said to be the equivalent to the noise of a food processor or a lawnmower. Category F1, F2 and F3 fireworks are available to the public, while category F4 fireworks are for professional use only The current maximum permitted noise level for F1, F2 and F3 fireworks available to consumers is 120 dBAimp. The Department for Business and Trade wants to reduce this to 110 dBAimp Officials pointed to how New Zealand introduced a 90 decibel limit for their consumer fireworks in 2008. The consultation document stated that reducing the limit to 110 dBAimp would 'make a significant reduction in perceived noise of consumer fireworks but with a lesser impact on businesses and the products available for consumers to enjoy responsibly'. 'Taking the noisiest fireworks off the market for consumers could result in the market for lower noise fireworks growing; boosting innovation and sales of low noise products, possibly creating a new niche where UK companies could excel,' it added. 'We believe this change will ensure those fireworks displays people choose to undertake in their own gardens or community spaces will be less disruptive and anti-social to people and animals.' But the Government is intending to allow professional public displays to 'continue to use fireworks with loud effects, because these events are publicised and far less likely to take place illegally or during unsociable hours', according to the document. Research from the Home Office in 2022 found more than 3,000 fires over the last 12 years had been caused by fireworks. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, which is part of DBT, warned that 'disruptive, anti-social and criminal misuse' of fireworks is seen around Halloween and Bonfire Night, and 'increasingly throughout the year'. 'In some areas, those working in the police and fire service have faced attacks by assailants armed with fireworks,' it added. Category F2 and F3 fireworks are currently the most powerful types of fireworks available to the public and require a safety distance of at least eight metres or 25 metres, respectively. Category F1 fireworks are classed as indoor or close proximity fireworks with minimal safety distances. The Government is also consulting on whether to update the list of pyrotechnic products that are banned from public sale. But it is proposing to remove the minimum buying age of 12 on the purchase of Christmas crackers. 'Given the comparatively low risk level of Christmas crackers... we are proposing to remove the age restriction on purchase,' the document said. 'This would remove the need for age checks which retailers have raised as a disproportionate burden.' In a written statement to Parliament on Thursday, Ms Dearden wrote: 'Millions of people enjoy fireworks responsibly as part of cultural, religious and community celebrations. 'There is an existing legal framework in place to address situations where fireworks and other pyrotechnics are misused. 'However, I am also aware of the concerns raised by charities, parliamentarians and members of the public about the impact of fireworks. 'Many people have been in touch with me to share their own experience of how fireworks have affected them, their family, their animals, or their wider community.'