Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.
Latest Stories

The Fed warns legal challenge if Scottish DRS is scrapped

The Fed warns legal challenge if Scottish DRS is scrapped
Kiran Paul
By Kiran PaulMay 23, 2023
Kiran Paul
See Full Bio

The Federation of Independent Retailers said it will take legal advice against the SNP/Green administration if the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is abandoned.

The threat follows the Scottish Daily Mail report on Monday (22 May) saying the compensation bill for DRS could be as much as £500 million if it is axed by the Scottish government.

The Fed also rejected the comment from Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf that the UK government should pay out any compensation.

“We support a deposit return scheme as it will boost recycling and reduce the litter which blights land and sea,” Mo Razzaq, deputy vice president of the Fed, said.

“However, Scotland’s scheme is deeply flawed and seems unlikely to get off the ground. We believe less than 3 per cent of our members have taken out leasing contracts for the machines to process the empties. For the scheme to succeed, ministers across the UK need to join Ireland in offering small shops financial help to lease these machines.

“And the few that took out contracts are regretting it as the Scottish government isn’t offering compensation for the delay so far. The seven-month delay until March next year is costing them over £2,200 at £320 a month for a five-year lease. We are taking legal advice with a view to court action.”

The Scottish DRS was due to go live this year on 16 August but has now been delayed until 1 March 2024.

The scheme however needs an exemption from the Internal Market Act by the UK government. Scotland’s Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has said last week that it could be axed by the end of this month if it is not granted exemption.

Meanwhile, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has rejected the suggestion that the UK Government would foot the compensation bill for businesses if the scheme is scrapped.

Jack said it would “have nothing to do with the UK Government” if businesses lose money as a result of the scheme being scrapped.

Speaking to the MPs at the Scottish Affairs Committee, he added: “We were formally asked to consider this on 6 March, I have asked for impact assessments, and I haven't seen those yet.

“I have yet to see the workings that could let me take a responsible decision one way or the other on this with any confidence.”

alister jackdeposit return schemelorna slatermo razzaqscottish drsthe fed

Related News

Sale sign in store window
Industry News

Retail sales take bigger-than-expected hit in October

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health
Editorial

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health

Freight crime cost over £680 million
Industry News

Freight crime cost over £680 million

More for you

​Illegal vapes

Illegal vapes seized in Swindon raids

Photo: Wiltshire Police

Five arrested after seizure of illegal vapes worth thousands of pounds in Swindon

Wiltshire Police have arrested five people and seized more than £55,000 worth of illicit vapes, tobacco and alcohol following a series of warrants in the Broadgreen area of Swindon.

In a joint operation HMRC and Trading Standards, officers executed four warrants in Manchester Road at three stores and a property on Tuesday as part of the force’s ongoing Clear Hold Build work within Broadgreen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less