Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance is given by his Department on safety of havans in Hindu community, cultural and religious events and the compatibility of such instruments with existing fire regulations.

This Government strongly supports faith communities being able to celebrate and mark religious festivals and exercise their freedom of religion.

Any event involving fires requires the application of some sensible planning. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all commercial premises and others to which the public have access. It requires the employer or building owner to assess the risk of fire to any occupants and put in place adequate fire safety measures to remove or reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

We have not produced any specific guidance on Havan, although we have produced more general guidance on fire safety, including advice on open-air events, and on small and large assemblies. These can be found online at:

www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-advice-documents