Question reference: S6W-02374
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 20 August 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ash Denham on 2 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a firework licensing system whereby adults would be required to apply for a licence and complete an online safety training course before they could purchase fireworks, and, if so, how much it estimates it would cost (a) an individual to apply for such a licence and (b) to administer such a system.
Answer
Following the final report from the independent Fireworks Review Group recommending a fundamental shift in how fireworks are accessed and used in Scotland, the Scottish Government intends to implement the recommendations from the Group as a matter of urgency to ensure positive change is in place for communities going forward.
This includes a recommendation that mandatory conditions are introduced before the general public are able to purchase fireworks. Mandatory conditions may include, for example, the successful completion of an online safety test and payment of a fee, to ensure that fireworks are used safely and appropriately.
The Scottish Government recently sought views through a public consultation which included a proposal that mandatory conditions of sale could be implemented through a fireworks licensing system. The consultation closed on 15 August and received over 1700 responses from members of the public and stakeholder organisations. The responses are being independently analysed and the results will inform next steps and development of legislation relating to fireworks and pyrotechnics.