Question reference: S6W-17663
- Date lodged: 4 May 2023
-
Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 23 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity during the ministerial statement on the Deposit Return Scheme on 20 April 2023, which (a) businesses and (b) trade associations have confirmed to the minister that their “number one concern” is uncertainty created specifically by the UK Government not issuing an exclusion to the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.
Answer
The Scottish Government and delivery partners such as Circularity Scotland, SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland continue to regularly engage directly with businesses on matters which are within our control to ensure all involved are ready for successful launch on 1 March 2024.
Organisations from across the UK frustrated by the UK Government’s position have written an open letter urging the Prime Minister to grant an exemption to the Internal Markets Act. Many more have privately expressed their concern that the lack of an Internal Market Act exemption is creating uncertainty and confusion for all the businesses that have worked so hard to prepare for the scheme.