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| Scottish deposit return scheme delayed until March | Scottish deposit return scheme delayed until March |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| Mr Yousaf faced questions from journalists over the arrest of SNP treasurer Colin Beattie ahead of his statement to the Scottish Parliament | Mr Yousaf faced questions from journalists over the arrest of SNP treasurer Colin Beattie ahead of his statement to the Scottish Parliament |
| Scotland's controversial deposit return scheme will now not launch until March of next year, the country's first minister has announced. | Scotland's controversial deposit return scheme will now not launch until March of next year, the country's first minister has announced. |
| The scheme, which is aimed at increasing the number of single-use drinks bottle and cans that are recycled, was due to start in August. | The scheme, which is aimed at increasing the number of single-use drinks bottle and cans that are recycled, was due to start in August. |
| But it has faced fierce opposition from many small breweries and distillers. | But it has faced fierce opposition from many small breweries and distillers. |
| Humza Yousaf announced the delay as he set out his priorities for his government over the next three years. | Humza Yousaf announced the delay as he set out his priorities for his government over the next three years. |
| Mr Yousaf also confirmed that proposals to restrict alcohol advertising will be sent "back to the drawing board" as part of his efforts to "reset" the government's relationship with business. | Mr Yousaf also confirmed that proposals to restrict alcohol advertising will be sent "back to the drawing board" as part of his efforts to "reset" the government's relationship with business. |
| And a six-month trial will see peak rail fares scrapped across the ScotRail network from October. | And a six-month trial will see peak rail fares scrapped across the ScotRail network from October. |
| Why is Scotland's deposit return scheme under fire? | Why is Scotland's deposit return scheme under fire? |
| His statement was largely overshadowed by the arrest of the SNP's treasurer, Colin Beattie, on Tuesday morning by police officers who are investigating the party's finances. | His statement was largely overshadowed by the arrest of the SNP's treasurer, Colin Beattie, on Tuesday morning by police officers who are investigating the party's finances. |
| The deposit return scheme will see 20p added to the price of a single-use drinks container, which will be refunded to people who return the container to retailer or hospitality premises that offer single-use products. | The deposit return scheme will see 20p added to the price of a single-use drinks container, which will be refunded to people who return the container to retailer or hospitality premises that offer single-use products. |
| Some retailers will accept returns over the counter while larger stores, shopping centres and community hubs will operate automated receiving points known as reverse vending machines (RVMs). | Some retailers will accept returns over the counter while larger stores, shopping centres and community hubs will operate automated receiving points known as reverse vending machines (RVMs). |
| Many small businesses fear it will place extra costs and other burdens on them at a time when they are already struggling. | Many small businesses fear it will place extra costs and other burdens on them at a time when they are already struggling. |
| And there have been concerns that thousands of firms could end up being forced out of the Scottish market, and that many products will disappear from the shelves. | And there have been concerns that thousands of firms could end up being forced out of the Scottish market, and that many products will disappear from the shelves. |
| Mr Yousaf said he remained committed to the deposit return scheme "as a way to increase recycling, reduce litter and help achieve our net zero ambitions". | Mr Yousaf said he remained committed to the deposit return scheme "as a way to increase recycling, reduce litter and help achieve our net zero ambitions". |
| He added: "We recognise the uncertainty that continues to be created as a result of the UK government delaying the decision to exclude the scheme from the Internal Market Act. We had hoped for that decision this week - but it has not come." | He added: "We recognise the uncertainty that continues to be created as a result of the UK government delaying the decision to exclude the scheme from the Internal Market Act. We had hoped for that decision this week - but it has not come." |
| Bottles and cans could be returned over the counter or through reverse vending machines | Bottles and cans could be returned over the counter or through reverse vending machines |
| The first minister also said that he and Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater - the Scottish Green co-leader who has been driving the introduction of the scheme - had heard the concerns of business over its readiness for launch in August. | The first minister also said that he and Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater - the Scottish Green co-leader who has been driving the introduction of the scheme - had heard the concerns of business over its readiness for launch in August. |
| He said: "As a result, we will now delay the launch of the scheme to the 1st of March 2024. This provides 10 months for businesses to get ready. | He said: "As a result, we will now delay the launch of the scheme to the 1st of March 2024. This provides 10 months for businesses to get ready. |
| "We will use that additional time to work with businesses, and Circularity Scotland, to address concerns with the scheme and ensure a successful launch next year." | "We will use that additional time to work with businesses, and Circularity Scotland, to address concerns with the scheme and ensure a successful launch next year." |
| A package of measures, Mr Yousaf said, would also be put in place to "simplify and de-risk" the scheme. | A package of measures, Mr Yousaf said, would also be put in place to "simplify and de-risk" the scheme. |
| Ms Slater will give further details on the new package and timetable for the scheme later this week. | Ms Slater will give further details on the new package and timetable for the scheme later this week. |
| The Scotch Whisky Association welcomed the delay but stressed that it supported the principles of the deposit return scheme. | The Scotch Whisky Association welcomed the delay but stressed that it supported the principles of the deposit return scheme. |
| But it said the plan in its current form would "hamper the efforts of businesses across the country to reduce waste and bring about a more circular economy". | But it said the plan in its current form would "hamper the efforts of businesses across the country to reduce waste and bring about a more circular economy". |
| The Night Time Industries Association said the scheme continued to be "fundamentally flawed and completely unworkable for large parts of our sector" and that a total redesign was needed. | The Night Time Industries Association said the scheme continued to be "fundamentally flawed and completely unworkable for large parts of our sector" and that a total redesign was needed. |
| SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested by police hours before Mr Yousaf unveiled his plan for a "fresh start" for the government | |
| Mr Yousaf also acknowledged that proposals to restrict alcohol advertising, including a ban on sponsorships for sport and live events and ending the sale of products with drinks firms' logos on, had caused "real concern" to the industry. | Mr Yousaf also acknowledged that proposals to restrict alcohol advertising, including a ban on sponsorships for sport and live events and ending the sale of products with drinks firms' logos on, had caused "real concern" to the industry. |
| He said: "I have therefore instructed my officials to take these ideas back to the drawing board, and to work with the industry, and with public health stakeholders, to agree a new set of proposals. | He said: "I have therefore instructed my officials to take these ideas back to the drawing board, and to work with the industry, and with public health stakeholders, to agree a new set of proposals. |
| "I believe that all of us want to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, particularly to young people - but without undermining Scotland's world-class drinks industry or tourism sector." | "I believe that all of us want to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, particularly to young people - but without undermining Scotland's world-class drinks industry or tourism sector." |
| The first minister said he hoped that a way forward could be found "which achieves both of those aims". | The first minister said he hoped that a way forward could be found "which achieves both of those aims". |
| Mr Yousaf had hoped his speech would allow him to set out what he was billing as a "fresh start for Scotland" after a tumultuous three weeks since he succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader. | Mr Yousaf had hoped his speech would allow him to set out what he was billing as a "fresh start for Scotland" after a tumultuous three weeks since he succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader. |
| He pledged his government would be "centred on the principles of equality, opportunity and community" and suggested tax increases could be on the way for higher earners, as he spoke of the need to be "bolder on taxation". | |
| He admitted to journalists earlier on Tuesday that Mr Beattie's arrest was a "very serious matter indeed" and that the timing was "not ideal" in terms of his statement to parliament. | He admitted to journalists earlier on Tuesday that Mr Beattie's arrest was a "very serious matter indeed" and that the timing was "not ideal" in terms of his statement to parliament. |
| Mr Beattie's arrest came two weeks after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - who is married to Nicola Sturgeon - was also arrested before later being released without charge pending further investigation. | Mr Beattie's arrest came two weeks after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - who is married to Nicola Sturgeon - was also arrested before later being released without charge pending further investigation. |
| Officers spent two days searching Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon's home in Glasgow, and also searched the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh. | Officers spent two days searching Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon's home in Glasgow, and also searched the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh. |
| Police Scotland launched its Operation Branchfoot investigation into the SNP's finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how more than £660,000 of donations for a second independence referendum campaign were used. | Police Scotland launched its Operation Branchfoot investigation into the SNP's finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how more than £660,000 of donations for a second independence referendum campaign were used. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Humza Yousaf | Humza Yousaf |