Luke Pollard MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, has today called for people to avoid setting off fireworks that scare animals and not to release sky lanterns that injure and kill cattle and birds as they cheer for NHS and frontline workers on Thursday night. He said:

“Clap for carers is a wonderful thing and our NHS and frontline staff deserve our thanks, but we can thank them without injuring or harming animals. In good faith people are setting off fireworks and releasing sky lanterns that are causing considerable worry to animals and leading to deaths and injuries.

“Labour wants to see the NHS and frontline staff thanked but let’s all make the effort to do so without inadvertently harming animals.”