KHAN SEEKS POWER TO BAN LOG BURNERS IN LONDON

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, has requested that the government grant him powers to ban wood-burning stoves in parts of the capital as part of efforts to improve air quality. In a formal submission to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Khan asked for authority to create zero-emissions zones where log-burning stoves, bonfires and the burning of solid fuels would be restricted in private homes and gardens. Current restrictions limit Khan's powers to smoke control areas on council property such as parks and allotments, but prevent him from banning domestic wood burners that meet existing efficiency standards.

The move follows research linking domestic wood burning to lung damage. Experts from University College London have identified wood burning as a major source of PM2.5 air pollution—tiny particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. According to one study, the effects are comparable to cigarette smoke exposure. Khan has prioritised air quality throughout his tenure as Mayor, most notably by introducing the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in 2019.

A study estimated a 40 per cent reduction in deaths linked to toxic air across London over five years between the scheme's introduction and 2024. Khan has argued for further expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone, stating there is "more to do" to protect Londoners from air pollution-linked illnesses including childhood asthma and dementia. The Mayor said the latest evidence demonstrated why expanding the scheme was crucial, though he acknowledged the decision to expand had not been straightforward.