Overview
- Freedom of information responses show 15,195 complaints about domestic wood burning in England over roughly a year led to just 24 fines and one prosecution.
- Complaints in designated smoke control areas reached 9,274, a 65% year-on-year rise, despite councils having powers to issue fixed penalties under the Environment Act 2021.
- A Ricardo study commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council links household burning to about 2,500 deaths annually and estimates NHS savings of more than £54m if non-essential burning stopped.
- The report also attributes an average of 3,741 new diabetes cases and 1,493 asthma cases each year to pollution from domestic burning, noting that 92% of users have another way to heat their homes.
- Ministers say options to cut emissions from domestic burning are under consideration and a revised plan is due in due course, while councils promote Defra’s Burn Better guidance and campaigners press for tighter stove limits previously promised but not legislated.