Firework crackdown branded 'basket case'

THE Scottish Government's fireworks legislation has been branded a “basket case” as restrictions come into force in parts of Glasgow from today.

- By Douglas Dickie

John Swinney admitted on Thursday that a licensing scheme set out in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 controlling the sale of fireworks had been kicked into the long grass due to cost concerns.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said his party could see the regulations were “unenforceable”, adding: “It’s a complete basket case, but it’s entirely typical of a Government that is unable to govern and unable to legislate competently.

Antisocial

“I don’t think this legislation, even if enacted, would have prevented further disorder - that’s why we opposed it. The point we made at the time, that still stands, is the police and the courts already have existing legislation to deal with antisocial use of fireworks, the misuse of fireworks, the mis-selling of fireworks to young people.