Reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels
184,376 people signed this petition to the UK Parliament after it opened on 4 September 2025; it closed on 4 March 2026. The Government responded on 7 November 2025. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 19 January 2026.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels
We think each year, individuals suffer because of loud fireworks. We believe horses, dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife can be terrified by noisy fireworks and many people find them intolerable.
There is independent research suggesting:
• Over half of dog owners report fireworks-anxiety in their dog
• There’s an 81% increase in missing dogs around Bonfire Night
• Almost 25% of military veterans say fireworks have caused a negative experience for them
We think both humans and animals are less likely to be distressed by fireworks noise below 90dB. We believe lower noise levels would allow fireworks to be enjoyed while potentially reducing some of their many negative impacts.
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 7 November 2025; the petitions site lists the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as responsible. Its summary:
The Government recognises that some people have strong feelings about fireworks and has been listening to concerns raised by members of the public regarding the impact of firework noise.
The response in full:
The Government's intention is to minimise the negative impact of fireworks and to support their considerate use, reducing the risks and disturbances to individuals, animals, and property. Current regulations control their sale, availability, and use, including setting a maximum noise level of 120 decibels for consumer fireworks. Many retailers also offer ‘lower noise’ and ‘no bang’ fireworks which are available to purchase by consumers.
Fireworks, when used responsibly are a source of enjoyment for many people. The Government recognises however the concerns raised by signatories to this petition regarding the potential impact fireworks can have on communities and animals.
The Government is engaging with businesses, consumer groups and charities to better understand the issues with and impacts of fireworks. Noise is one of the key issues we are seeking views on. The Government is also considering the experience of other countries where lower noise limits are in place for consumer fireworks to understand the impact this has had and to identify best practice.
For this fireworks season, to ensure people continue to use fireworks in a safe and considerate manner, the Government has launched a fireworks campaign for this fireworks season to provide guidance on minimising the impacts of fireworks on animal welfare and encouraging responsible use. Lower noise fireworks are promoted in the campaign alongside considerate use. This supplements existing guidance from Government and other organisations that is available to help people to use fireworks safely and appropriately. The campaign also includes new guidance for those running community fireworks events, and social media posts that emphasise the risks from the misuse of fireworks.
My safety: fireworks - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/my-safety-fireworks)
Organising non-professional fireworks displays - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organising-non-professional-fireworks-displays)
A number of animal welfare organisations, along with industry and local authorities, provide advice and guidance to enable people to minimise the negative impacts of fireworks on people, animals and our communities. We work closely with these organisations to amplify this messaging in the run up to, and during, key dates when fireworks are commonly used.
Department for Business and Trade
This is a revised response. The Petitions Committee requested a response which more directly addressed the request of the petition. You can find the original response towards the bottom of the petition page (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738192)
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies. Measured against each constituency's electorate at the 2024 general election, the most came from Broadland and Fakenham, with 9.8 signatures per 1,000 electors (752 in all).
183,822 of the signatures were from the UK and 554 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures | Electorate, July 2024 | Per 1,000 electors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadland and Fakenham | 752 | 76,863 | 9.8 |
| South Norfolk | 708 | 74,006 | 9.6 |
| Norwich North | 681 | 73,717 | 9.2 |
| Beaconsfield | 659 | 72,751 | 9.1 |
| Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner | 652 | 71,683 | 9.1 |
| Great Yarmouth | 645 | 73,317 | 8.8 |
| North Norfolk | 629 | 71,438 | 8.8 |
| Mid Norfolk | 636 | 75,238 | 8.5 |
| Leeds North West | 551 | 71,592 | 7.7 |
| Windsor | 563 | 73,334 | 7.7 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| South East | 28,657 |
| East of England | 23,942 |
| North West | 22,039 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 18,689 |
| West Midlands | 17,132 |
| South West | 16,090 |
| East Midlands | 15,783 |
| London | 14,054 |
| Wales | 8,659 |
| Scotland | 8,426 |
| North East | 7,398 |
| Northern Ireland | 1,903 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 19 January 2026. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738192.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
4ef1e83ff979c7db… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.