Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, is reportedly preparing to ban log burners in private homes across the capital as part of a clean air initiative, while also joining other Labour regional mayors in pledging to cap a new tourist tax at 5%. These moves highlight a push for increased powers and new levies from local authorities.
Proposed Log Burner Ban in London
Lord Khan is seeking to outlaw wood stoves in private homes across London, proposing area-specific bans through new zero-emission zones and introducing new limits on burning, including domestic bonfires. This initiative is part of his broader effort to reduce particle emissions and improve air quality in the capital, according to The Telegraph.
He has formally requested that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) devolve additional powers to him and other local authority leaders, arguing that existing rules, which typically allow homeowners to burn dry logs in modern wood burners, are hindering his emission reduction efforts. Khan has cited "persistent constraints in funding, powers, and capacity" and contends that tougher laws are particularly important for London due to its high population density and existing pollution levels.
Defra is currently considering Khan’s request, having already conducted its own analyses which found solid-fuel burning in homes to be a significant source of fine particle emissions. An official report earlier this year indicated that these emissions from domestic combustion had risen by over a quarter between 2018 and 2024, predominantly from indoor wood burning.
However, the Mayor’s proposed ban is the latest in a series of initiatives, including the expansion of London’s ultra-low-emission zone (Ulez) and support for active travel policies, that have drawn criticism for potentially impinging on personal freedoms. Sir James Cleverly MP, who plans to challenge Lord Khan in the 2028 mayoral elections, stated that "Londoners need a mayor who will put policing our streets before policing our homes and gardens."
Sadiq Khan’s Policies: Tourist Tax Cap Commitment
Separately, Labour’s regional mayors in England, including Sadiq Khan, have committed to capping a new fee on visitors’ overnight stays at 5%. This new levy, dubbed a "tourist tax," is set to be introduced by the government, granting local leaders the power to charge an uncapped percentage of accommodation costs. The Labour mayors, in a letter to Chancellor John Healey and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner, stated that 5% represents a "reasonable ceiling" that would allow for "meaningful investment" in local areas, while being "subject to local consultation," the BBC reported.
The letter was signed by Labour mayors from London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, North East, West of England, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Midlands and York and North Yorkshire. While Labour mayors have backed the new levy, which is similar to schemes in Scotland and European cities, opposition has come from other political parties and hospitality groups. UKHospitality’s chief executive Allen Simpson warned that the levy could put jobs at risk and add approximately £100 to £120 to the average cost of a family holiday in England.
Implications for Yorkshire and the UK
The pledge to cap the tourist tax at 5% directly impacts the Yorkshire region, with the Labour mayors for West Yorkshire and York and North Yorkshire both signing the letter. This indicates that if such a levy is introduced in these areas, it would adhere to the proposed cap, potentially providing additional revenue for local investment. While the log burner ban is currently focused on London, it reflects a broader national conversation around air quality and could influence future environmental policies across the UK.
