Ross-shire MP tables Early Day Motion calling for cap on delivery charges to all parts of the UK; move comes amid long running controversy over unfair extra delivery charges to parts of the Highlands and Islands

A ROSS MP has called for there to be powers to cap delivery charges to all parts of the UK – amid ongoing controversy over unfair extra fees for people in the Highlands.

Jamie Stone, the LidDem MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, made the call after tabling an Early Day Motion in Westminster.

In it he called on the UK government to give the Competition and Markets Authority the power to authorise a cap on delivery charges.

Working in conjunction with the Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau on their ‘Fair Delivery Campaign’, Mr Stone said he hoped that increasing pressure on the government will help to raise awareness of the current situation's negative impact on customers, small businesses and the local economy.

Following a "disappointing initial response from the government" which stated that delivery companies should just be transparent about their delivery charges, Mr Stone has insisted that delivery charges across the UK must be capped.

Mr Stone said: “To put it simply, people on basic incomes are having to pay far more for many consumer items than their friends and relations have to in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

"That is completely unjust as we pay the same tax up in the Highlands. If this inequality is not addressed, many local people might simply decide that life elsewhere would be a lot easier and move away. No one deserves to be penalised for their postcode."

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