This Bill would seek to restrict the supply and use of certain kinds of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles. An example of a pyrotechnic article would be a distress flare.
The Bill impacts businesses and individuals. It creates a new licensing system which means that:
members of the public will need a licence to buy, possess or use certain fireworks,
businesses supplying fireworks will need to confirm that the people getting the fireworks either have a licence or don’t need one.
It will be a criminal offence to buy, possess or use fireworks without licence, or to supply fireworks to a person without a licence. It will also be an offence to give fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to a child, or buy them on behalf of a child.
The Bill specifies that certain fireworks can only be supplied to, and used by, members of the public at certain times, including:
Vaisakhi
Guy Fawkes Day
Hogmanay
Chinese New Year
Diwali
There are exemptions for organised public firework displays and professionally organised displays.
In addition, the Bill grants local authorities the powers to set-up ‘firework control zones’. Councils will be able to restrict the use of fireworks in these zones, although professionally organised or public displays may still be allowed.
The possession of pyrotechnic articles when travelling to or at certain places and events will become an offence under the Bill. This could include certain sports events, sports grounds or music events.
The new rules created by the Bill will be enforced by trading standards or Police Scotland.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill became an Act on 22 July 2024
This Bill was passed and is now an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
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All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual sections.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill in a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the person introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
This Bill requires Crown consent. It is expected that this consent will be signified at Stage 3.
This Bill [requires/does not] require a Financial Resolution
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSP's in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
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The Bill was introduced on 5 October 2023
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees can also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee.
The call for views closed on 11 March 2022.
View the published responses
The Participation and Communities Team have produced a summary of online forum submissions.
Fireworks Bill Engagement Summary (2MB, pdf)
Further information on the Bill can be found in the SPICe Bill Briefing
Additional written responses
Police Scotland ‘The illicit use of pyrotechnics at events in Scotland’, Sept 2021 (710KB, pdf)
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Fireworks and pyrotechnics offences Charges received during financial years 2016-2021 (135KB, pdf)
British Fireworks Association Supplementary Written Evidence (681KB, pdf)
Evaluation of Firework Related Harm in Scotland October 2020 (2MB, pdf)
A Stage 1 debate took place on 28 April 2022 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
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Result 123 for, 1 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote Agreed
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The Bill ended Stage 1 on 30 April 2024
At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them.
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The Bill ended Stage 2 on 28 May 2024
At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them. There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law.
Result 118 for, 1 against, 0 abstained, 10 did not vote Agreed
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The Bill ended Stage 3 on 12 June 2024