Thank you for contacting me about fireworks.
While many people enjoy the use of fireworks on special occasions, I appreciate their entertainment is not shared by all. Fireworks can, of course, be dangerous and so it is right that the use and sale of them is controlled.
Retailers are restricted to selling fireworks during specific celebrations, such as Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali. To sell outside the traditional periods, suppliers must comply with stringent conditions in order to obtain a licence from their local licensing authority. Fireworks used for professionally organised displays are only available for sale to people who have undertaken an accredited course of training. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks. As such, the use of fireworks outside the traditional periods has been greatly reduced.
The majority of people who use fireworks do so at the appropriate times of year and have a sensible and responsible attitude towards them. Nevertheless, to reduce disturbance to both animals and people, there is a noise level living of 120 decibels on fireworks for home use. The Animal Welfare Act (2006) also makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals through the misuse of fireworks. They should not be set off near livestock, livestock buildings, or horse paddocks. Anyone planning a firework display in rural areas should warn neighbouring farmers. I understand that the Government has worked with animal welfare groups to promote these consideration guidelines.
While there are no current plans to impose additional restrictions on fireworks, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has assessed various concerns including noise, antisocial behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impacts, and effects on humans and animals. Following the review by the OPSS, the Government remains committed to encouraging safe firework use through effective legislation and non-legislative measures. Introducing further restrictions on sales could lead to more individuals acquiring fireworks from inappropriate or unsafe suppliers that do not comply to the UK’s safety requirements.
As you may be aware, the Scottish Government passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act in 2022. My colleagues in the Scottish Parliament have assured me that they will work constructively with the Scottish Government to monitor the effectiveness of this new legislation.