The BBC and the Yorkshire Post reported on how rural residents, in particular, may be hit the hardest by the Government’s restrictions on household stoves and open fires announced last week

Plans to phase out the sale of house coal and wet wood have been confirmed, as part of efforts to tackle tiny particle pollutants known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into lungs and the blood and cause serious health problems. Wood burners are most popular in the countryside, thanks to a plentiful supply of fuel.

The Yorkshire Post argues that the new restrictions will affect poor people living in rural areas the most. It cites statistics that show nearly four million people are off the gas grid in the UK, many of whom use coal, as opposed to more expensive briquettes, to heat their homes. In a separate article, the regional paper notes that many rural people might  consider themselves to have been unfairly targeted, because Britain’s most polluted places are its cities.

It argues that the Government risks accusations that it is pointing a finger of blame for pollution at the wrong people, by targeting household rather than industry.

Full article:

The BBC - Wood burners: Most polluting fuels to be banned in the home

The Yorkshire Post - Warning rural poor will 'freeze in their homes' over coal and wet wood ban

The Yorkshire Post - Burning issue of coal and wood fire crackdown will affect rural areas most: The Yorkshire Post says