MP Ged wants power to ban fireworks devolved to Scotland

Ged Killen MP has called for tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks.

It comes after the Rutherglen representative pushed for a debate in the House of Commons on the possibility of devolving the powers necessary to ban the sale of fireworks to the Scottish Government.

Mr Killen has now written to supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons and Asda to consider withdrawing fireworks from public sale.

He said: “Last year, 839 people in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency signed a petition to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public and restrict use to licensed displays.

“The petition reached 307,897 signatures in total and was debated in parliament, but unfortunately the government failed to act.

“I receive hundreds of complaints from constituents every year during the fireworks season.

“They are concerned about the impact on people who are sensitive to loud noise, pets, wildlife, the environment, and the potential for anti-social behaviour, damage to property, and attacks on emergency services.

“I believe if fireworks were invented tomorrow, they would never be made available for general sale in the way they are now.

“Whilst legislation exists to restrict the sale and use of fireworks, it is an unavoidable reality that they are still finding their way into the wrong hands, and research from the Scottish Government this month has shown that the number of firework-related injuries has been increasing in recent years.

“I will continue to push for the UK government to change the law, or devolve the powers to do so, but in the meantime I hope that responsible retailers will withdraw general sale so that displays can be restricted to much safer organised events.”