Luton North MP Sarah Owen wins award for fireworks campaign
MP for Luton North Sarah Owen has won a national award for her campaign for tighter fireworks laws.
Ms Owen received the Companion Animal Care Award at the 2026 Political Purpose Awards at the House of Commons on Tuesday evening (September 8).
The award recognises her work, including her Fireworks Bill, which returned to Parliament for its second reading in January.
The bill proposes reducing the consumer fireworks noise limit from 120 to 90 decibels, allowing firework control zones and tightening rules around the sale of fireworks.
Ms Owen has also worked with animal welfare organisations and supported the Fireworks Impact Coalition's parliamentary campaign.
She contributed to a Westminster Hall debate on two petitions which attracted more than 300,000 signatures combined.
The campaign has focused on the impact fireworks can have on animals, with vets and rescue charities reporting increased injuries, escapes and abandonments around Bonfire Night.
Ms Owen said: “As many people in Luton at the moment know, antisocial fireworks are a real issue in our town, and across the country.
“They cause misery for animals and humans alike. That is why I have worked so hard for years to get more sensible fireworks sales laws.
“This summer, the government announced a consultation into fireworks, and the Prime Minister in his first PMQs of the year said there is a case for better fireworks laws. These are major steps forward for our campaign.”
Ms Owen also thanked animal welfare groups which had worked with her on the bill.
She said: “A huge thank you to RSPCA, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Help for Heroes, the Firework Campaign, Dogs Trust and more who worked with me on the Fireworks Bill. It’s exciting to see the government take our asks seriously.”
Tony Miller, chief marketing officer of Animal Friends Insurance, said: “Sarah Owen has taken that argument on with 300,000 signatures behind her and a bill that is still alive.
“Britain calls itself a nation of animal lovers – this is what backing that up looks like.”
John Higginson, founder and chief executive of Higginson Strategy, said: “Sarah has built cross-party support for a change that matters enormously to pet owners and to the animals themselves.
“It is an honour to recognise a campaign that has kept going against the odds.”