First Minister Humza Yousaf ditches Greens' deposit return scheme until next year as Highland MSP Fergus Ewing labels it ‘green poll tax’
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Greens’ deposit return scheme is to be recycled next year after First Minister Humza Yousaf recognised the concerns of businesses who fear it would be disastrous for trade.
Just before Mr Yousaf spoke, Highland MSP Fergus Ewing lambasted the Greens' Lorna Slater, the Minister for Circular Economy, saying the scheme amounted to a “green poll tax.”
He said: “Last week in a letter to the First Minister, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Scotch Whisky Association, the CBI and many other business organisations, virtually all of them, argued that the DRS would increase prices, consumer prices above the 20p hitting the poorest hardest.
“Even David Harris, the boss of Circulatory Scotland, paid 300 grand a year admits that that is the case, does the minister agree with the boss of our own agency?And if so, why is she so intent as a Green Party representative on imposing a green Poll Tax?”
RELATED: 'Kate Forbes would postpone DRS if elected First Minister'
Businesses have say on DRS and Highly Protected Marine Areas
Ms Slater only said Circularity Scotland is a private not-for-profit company and that the deposit return scheme was passed by the parliament.
Then just a few minutes later, Mr Yousaf junked it until next in part of a bid to reset ties with the business community, alongside another welcome move by withdrawing the consultation on alcohol advertising.
Responding to businesses which called for a reset, he said three policy changes would address that in part.
He said: "The first related to the deposit return scheme as a way to increase recycling, to reduce litter on our streets and our beaches and help achieve our next zero ambitions.
"But we recognise the uncertainty that continues to be created as a result, of course, of the UK government delaying the decision to exclude the scheme from the Internal Market Act, we had hoped for a decision this week.
"At the same time I and the circular economy minister have heard the concerns of business, particularly about the scheme’s launch this August so as a result we will now delay the launch of the scheme until March 1, 2024.
"This provides 10 months for businesses to get ready and we will use that additional time to work with businesses and Circularity Scotland to address the concerns with the schem and ensure and successful launch next year.
"We've also developed a package of measures to simplify and de-risk the scheme and to support small businesses and hospitality industry."
