We’re taking the necessary steps to protect High Peak’s animals  

Last week I joined Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Business and Trade, in thanking High Peak resident Robert Branch for starting a petition on the impact of fireworks. As a fellow High Peak dog owner, I know exactly what that anxiety feels like when fireworks are set off near our home. Hearing examples from across the Chamber gave me real insight into just how much of an impact fireworks have on so many lives – not just for our pets, but for veterans living with PTSD who are triggered by the sounds, and for farm animals and wildlife.

We have made some progress through curfews, noise limits as well as through controls on sales and storage. The Labour Government’s community awareness campaign last year made real progress in promoting safer, more responsible use. But having heard from many residents, there is a clear desire locally for this to go further. The debating of Robert’s petition provides a strong basis on which all options can now be further explored to better protect all those impacted by fireworks. 

Many of you have raised concerns about the levels of noise caused by fireworks but also about their deliberate misuse. We have all heard stories of fireworks being aimed at people and property. Such antisocial behaviour needs to be tackled, not just through looking at the availability of fireworks and their use, but also through stronger local police enforcement. That’s exactly why we’ve invested record funding of £11.8 billion in policing across England and Wales -11% higher than the previous Conservative government. We’re getting officers off desks and back on our streets where they belong, tackling the antisocial behaviour that blights too many communities.

And when it comes to protecting animals, we’re tackling crime and cruelty on multiple fronts. In December 2025, we launched reforms to end puppy farming – those horrific operations where dogs are kept in appalling conditions, overbred, and denied basic care, producing puppies with lifelong health problems. We’re cracking down on puppy smuggling, bringing in tougher livestock worrying laws to protect farm animals from dog attacks, and closing the loopholes that have been exploited for far too long.

The Animal Welfare Strategy delivers the most ambitious reforms in a generation – a manifesto commitment delivered.

Locally, I’ll keep campaigning for better animal protections. As vice-president of the Glossop and Tameside RSPCA branch, I recently raised funds for them this year through

my High Peak Dog of the Year calendar competition. It was great to work alongside the branch and showed me just how much we care about our pets in High Peak.

If any of the issues that I’ve raised have impacted you, please get in touch at [email protected].