UK MINISTERS STEP IN TO AVERT SNP SHAMBLES

Controversial Deposit Return Scheme gets go-ahead – but only as pilot for UK-wide rollout that protects businesses and consumers

SCOTLAND’S shambolic Deposit Return Scheme has been rescued by the UK Government in a last-ditch bid to break an SNP deadlock.

Ministers yesterday said they would support the scheme north of the Border by offering a vital exemption to the UK Internal Market Act.

The concession would see Scotland act as a pilot scheme for the rest of the country, with the expectation it would soon roll out across the UK.

It would mean excluding glass bottles from the scheme, something which already happens in similar successful recycling projects in other countries.

The move to prevent cross-Border trade barriers and extra costs for businesses operating in Scotland was welcomed by a wide range of industry bodies yesterday.

It would also stave off the threat of compensation claims from businesses furious

that Green minister Lorna Slater’s unworkable scheme was on the verge of being scrapped.

SNP-Green ministers reacted by suggesting the effort to get the beleaguered DRS back on track was ‘treating the Scottish parliament with contempt’.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, which represents shops and supermarkets, said: ‘To give businesses the best chance of a successful launch they urgently need an approach which can work across the four nations, which avoids unnecessary divergence and provides final clarity on the parameters of the scheme.

‘Retailers have consistently warned that including glass containers increases the cost and complexity of the scheme; and many of the most insuperable problems with the Scottish scheme are a consequence of the inclusion of glass containers.

‘Nonetheless, such a change to the scheme with only ten months to go would be challenging to businesses who have in good faith invested in more expensive infrastructure to accommodate those containers.’

He added: ‘Businesses will hope Scottish ministers soberly reflect on what appear to be constructive proposals from the UK Government and make a final decision on the scheme before the end of this month.’

The Scottish Government had applied for an exemption from the UK Internal Market Act (IMA) for its Deposit Return Scheme so it could ensure producers of drinks sold in Scotland need to take part. It had set a deadline of the end of this month for a decision.

In a major concession designed to find compromise, UK ministers yesterday agreed to give a time-limited exemption from the IMA until a UK-wide scheme is operational.

One of the key conditions is that glass, which will not be part of the scheme to be introduced in other parts of the UK, is excluded from the Scottish system. Processes will also need to be the same, including barcodes and labelling, meaning customers can return empty containers in any part of the UK regardless of where they have purchased the product.

Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: ‘We always said that any DRS should be UK-wide and without glass and include a standardised deposit charge, barcodes and labelling across the UK.

‘This is another twist in the ongoing DRS farce where producers, suppliers and the retail and hospitality sectors are the collateral damage, left in limbo as to what a scheme will finally look like or if it even goes ahead at all.

‘What we need now is a clear path forward and it is imperative that we get clarity on what is happening as soon as possible.’

UK-Hospitality Scotland executive director Leon Thompson said: ‘Hospitality businesses have sunk millions into preparing for a scheme and will likely have to spend more once again to meet new requirements. For the sake of businesses, I hope we get a decision and clarity as soon as possible.’

The trade body representing Britain’s main drinks producers called for the Scottish DRS to be delayed until a UK-wide scheme can be introduced. Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA), said: ‘Our members have made significant investments of money, resource and time since 2019 to prepare for the launch of DRS Scotland.

‘However, given the level of political uncertainty surrounding DRS Scotland, surely the only viable option now is for all stakeholders to commit to launching DRS across the UK on the same timeframe, October 2025.

‘BSDA members remain committed to working with the UK Government and devolved governments to help ensure DRS can be delivered effectively and efficiently for consumers and businesses alike.’

Ms Slater, the circular economy minister, said: ‘Once again the UK Government has shown utter disregard for devolution. Scottish ministers have, as yet, received no notice of their decision. This is treating the Scottish parliament with contempt.

‘If press reports are accurate, this would be an eleventh hour decision from the UK Government to unilaterally remove glass from

‘Constructive proposal from UK Government’

Scotland’s DRS, which would ride roughshod over the devolution settlement, undermine our efforts to protect our environment and reduce climate emissions.

‘It would mean around 600,000,000 bottles that would have been collected by the scheme, will not be, despite businesses in Scotland having invested millions of pounds in preparation to include them.’

She added: ‘We remain committed to the delivery of a successful DRS, but we would need to fully consider the implications for the successful delivery of the scheme and discuss these with businesses and delivery partners.

‘I intend to provide an update to parliament as soon as possible.’

It is understood the UK Government’s proposal has been signed off by ministers but a letter to the Scottish Government confirming the decision may not be published until later in the weekend.

Amid the ham-fisted shambles of the Scottish Government’s deposit Return Scheme, we finally see some practical thinking. UK ministers are set to offer Humza Yousaf’s Government an escape route from its hapless, repeatedly delayed scheme.

Under the deal, Westminster would agree to grant the trading exemption required to make the dRS work. in exchange, Holyrood would get to pilot a UK-wide dRS for the whole country. This would involve some compromise. Rather than pressing ahead with their own project, SNP and Green ministers would be adopting the approach already planned for England and Wales.

This UK-wide scheme would not include single-use glass bottles, a common exclusion in other countries, and would help avert the collapse of the dRS because of the intransigence and incompetence of the Scottish Government.

it is astonishing just how much goodwill the SNP and the Greens have thrown away. The dRS once enjoyed cross-party support and widespread backing from across civil society and business. The ineptitude, mismanagement and tin-eared arrogance of Lorna Slater, the minister responsible, have turned a done deal into a debacle.

Alister Jack is said to be a key player in arriving at this compromise proposal. That is not surprising. Throughout this sorry saga, the Secretary of State for Scotland has shown common sense and pragmatism. These qualities are what used to define leadership. Jack has walked the fine line between accommodating Holyrood and not allowing the SNP to run roughshod over the devolution settlement.

ministers may not want to admit it but Jack is throwing them a lifeline – an opportunity to ditch their dysfunctional scheme with dignity and sign up for one that will actually work.

For once, they should drop the grievance politics, work with Westminster and do what’s best for Scotland.