Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S6W-42780

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 7 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to a fireworks licensing scheme or restrictions on the days on which fireworks can be supplied and used.

We have aimed to strike a balance between introducing restrictions, while still enabling fireworks to be used safely in appropriate circumstances. We have already implemented four out of the six key measures provided for within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. These include:

A prohibition on providing or making available fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to children;
A statutory aggravation for courts sentencing offenders where fireworks have been used to attack emergency workers;
Discretionary powers for local authorities to designate firework control zones; and
New offences of possession of pyrotechnics in public places and at designated venues and events.

After careful consideration and assessment, the introduction of a licensing scheme and restricting sales days were paused due to significant financial and resource implications. We are, however, keeping the pauses under review, and will continue to assess how existing measures are having an impact.

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Question reference: S6W-42780

Answer