The Scottish Government has paused plans to introduce a licensing scheme for the purchase of fireworks and pyrotechnics, First Minister John Swinney has confirmed, amid renewed pressure from MSPs over disorder around 5 November.
Answering questions at Holyrood, Mr Swinney said the proposed permit system under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 has been placed on hold due to the cost and complexity of rolling it out, though he stressed other parts of the law are now in force. These include powers for councils to create firework control zones, new offences for supplying fireworks to children and tougher penalties where fireworks are used to attack emergency workers.
Independent MSP Ash Regan accused ministers of “abandoning key provisions” of the Act, arguing that communities are bracing for “an annual Bonfire Night war zone” and that control zones are ineffective without parallel purchasing controls. She urged the Government to proceed with licensing to better protect residents and frontline services.
Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said local authority control zones are backed by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and confirmed the decision to pause licensing in 2024 followed “significant financial and resource” assessments. She said the position remains under review.
Police Scotland has reported major seizures of illicit fireworks ahead of Bonfire Night and last year reported more than 60 people for fireworks offences. Officers in areas including Tayside and Edinburgh will use body-worn video this year as part of their response.
Ministers repeated that anyone engaging in illegal activity can expect robust enforcement, while emphasising that most elements of the 2022 Act are now operational.
