UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – England saw 15,195 wood-burning complaints in 2024, yet only one prosecution and 24 fines were issued, highlighting weak enforcement of air pollution laws.
As reported by the Guardian, data shows only one prosecution was made for illegal wood burning in England last year, despite 15,195 complaints.
The campaign group Mums for Lungs found that only 24 fines were issued by local councils between September 2024 and August 2025.
What does the latest wood-smoke data reveal about enforcement gaps?
Recent figures show complaints in smoke control zones have risen 65% from last year.
In smoke control regions, only stoves approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs may be used for burning wood or to restrict harmful smoke emissions.
The Environment Act 2021 allows fines of £300 for smoke-emitting chimneys and £1,000 for using unauthorised fuels or appliances.
The largest numbers of complaints came from Swale, Birmingham, Manchester, Wakefield, and Dorset, though councils handed out few or no penalties.
Campaigners argued the figures show weak enforcement of air pollution rules, as wood smoke continues to pose serious health risks across Britain.
The past Tory government planned stricter emission limits for new stoves under its 2022 legislation, but no law has been passed so far. The promised review of the environmental plan, which was verified in early 2025, has yet to be released.
What did Dr James Heydon say about wood smoke and families?
Dr James Heydon, assistant professor of criminology at the University of Nottingham, highlighted issues in environmental and social policy.
He said,
“As an air pollution scientist, I get emails each winter from people whose homes are being filled by their neighbour’s wood smoke. Many are desperately worried about the impact on their child’s asthma or the health of their relative. Often they have exhausted the options with their local council. The system is clearly not working for them.”
What did Jemima Hartshorn say about weak enforcement of air pollution laws?
Jemima Hartshorn, founder of Mums for Lungs, said poor enforcement is putting people at risk from harmful smoke.
She stated,
“The government claims to have world-leading laws on air pollution, but they are meaningless if they are not enforced.”
Ms Hartshorn added,
“The increasing number of installations in densely populated areas needs to be controlled. By continuing to allow these appliances to be installed the government is kicking the can down the road and storing up a PM2.5 problem for future generations. Defra need to evaluate their labelling of stoves as ‘Defra-approved’ because this is being used to sell a wider idea to consumers of burning being environmentally friendly.”
How air pollution and wood smoke are harming children’s health?
Health experts warn lung cancer rates are increasing in non-smokers, while air pollution increasingly affects children.
The Royal College of Physicians reports that UK air pollution causes 36,000 early deaths every year, costing the economy around £27bn annually.
The Royal College of Paediatrics warns that phasing out domestic wood burning in urban areas is vital to protect young children, citing its role in air pollution risks. Research from University College London shows that solid-fuel stove users suffer faster lung function decline than non-users.
What is the Environment Act 2021?
The Act established the independent Office for Environmental Protection. This body monitors and reports on the government’s progress on environmental improvements and can hold public authorities accountable for failing to comply with environmental law.
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The Act requires the government to set legally binding long-term targets in four key priority areas: air quality, biodiversity, water, and waste. This includes a specific target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.