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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tennent's brewer says deposit return scheme change threatens jobs | Tennent's brewer says deposit return scheme change threatens jobs |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The drinks firm behind Tennent's lager has said the removal of glass from the deposit return scheme would put jobs and investment in Scotland at risk. | The drinks firm behind Tennent's lager has said the removal of glass from the deposit return scheme would put jobs and investment in Scotland at risk. |
| C&C Group has written to the first minister expressing "serious concerns" about the UK government's decision that any scheme must exclude glass. | C&C Group has written to the first minister expressing "serious concerns" about the UK government's decision that any scheme must exclude glass. |
| The brewer says that would put Tennent's - typically sold in cans - at a significant competitive disadvantage. | The brewer says that would put Tennent's - typically sold in cans - at a significant competitive disadvantage. |
| The UK government argues that it has reacted to industry concerns. | The UK government argues that it has reacted to industry concerns. |
| First Minister Humza Yousaf said the decision could have a "disproportionate" impact on Scottish businesses. | First Minister Humza Yousaf said the decision could have a "disproportionate" impact on Scottish businesses. |
| Tory MSP defends recycling scheme U-turn on glass | Tory MSP defends recycling scheme U-turn on glass |
| Yousaf accuses UK of recycling scheme sabotage | Yousaf accuses UK of recycling scheme sabotage |
| C&C Group has requested an "urgent meeting" with Mr Yousaf to discuss its concerns. | |
| Managing director Andrea Pozzi wrote: "This announcement increases the already huge uncertainty around the scheme for the drinks industry, customers, and consumers and, if implemented, would be a fundamental change to the scheme." | |
| He also warned the partial exemption would have "serious implications". | |
| Mr Pozzi added: "By removing glass from a Scottish DRS, Tennent's, as a product sold in can in the Scottish off-trade would be at a significant competitive disadvantage, undermining our business and therefore placing jobs and investment in Scotland at risk." | |
| As a result he vowed the brewer would have no alternative but to "actively seek and support a UK-wide scheme". | |
| The British Soft Drinks Association, which represents brands including Irn Bru makers AG Barr, has also called for a UK-wide approach. | The British Soft Drinks Association, which represents brands including Irn Bru makers AG Barr, has also called for a UK-wide approach. |
| In a statement, it said that "surely the only viable option now is for all stakeholders to commit to launching DRS across the UK on the same timeframe". | In a statement, it said that "surely the only viable option now is for all stakeholders to commit to launching DRS across the UK on the same timeframe". |
| The Scottish government is considering whether or not to proceed with a Scotland-only scheme in March next year. Its decision is expected early next week. | The Scottish government is considering whether or not to proceed with a Scotland-only scheme in March next year. Its decision is expected early next week. |
| To allow the scheme to operate effectively, ministers sought a full exemption from the rules of the UK internal market act. | To allow the scheme to operate effectively, ministers sought a full exemption from the rules of the UK internal market act. |
| UK ministers have granted a partial exemption - on condition that the Scottish scheme excludes glass and matches plans for deposit return in other parts of the UK. | UK ministers have granted a partial exemption - on condition that the Scottish scheme excludes glass and matches plans for deposit return in other parts of the UK. |
| In effect, the Scottish government is being permitted to pilot what should eventually become a UK-wide approach, rather than proceeding with its own distinctive proposals. | In effect, the Scottish government is being permitted to pilot what should eventually become a UK-wide approach, rather than proceeding with its own distinctive proposals. |
| Scottish ministers have accused the UK of "deliberate sabotage" and interference in devolved decision-making. | Scottish ministers have accused the UK of "deliberate sabotage" and interference in devolved decision-making. |
| First Minister Humza Yousaf has criticised the UK government's actions | First Minister Humza Yousaf has criticised the UK government's actions |
| The UK government insists that it is responding to the concerns of business and avoiding unnecessary costs and complexity. | The UK government insists that it is responding to the concerns of business and avoiding unnecessary costs and complexity. |
| Mr Yousaf told the BBC that the UK government had effectively said it was "their way or the highway". | Mr Yousaf told the BBC that the UK government had effectively said it was "their way or the highway". |
| "The problem with their way is that it could have a disproportionate impact on Scottish businesses - iconic brands like Irn Bru, like Tennent's," said the first minister. | "The problem with their way is that it could have a disproportionate impact on Scottish businesses - iconic brands like Irn Bru, like Tennent's," said the first minister. |
| "They could be disproportionately impacted because of the UK government's actions. | "They could be disproportionately impacted because of the UK government's actions. |
| "So we've got to take a choice. Do we do that, or I'm afraid do we not have a scheme because it simply will not be viable without punishing Scottish business. And that's a very stark decision and choice we have to come to." | "So we've got to take a choice. Do we do that, or I'm afraid do we not have a scheme because it simply will not be viable without punishing Scottish business. And that's a very stark decision and choice we have to come to." |
| Schemes 'need to be consistent' | |
| Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said C&C Group's letter showed the "recklessness" of the UK government's decision to remove glass and called for it to be reversed. | |
| She added: "Including plastic, metal and glass is best for the environment and maximises the economic benefits, too." | She added: "Including plastic, metal and glass is best for the environment and maximises the economic benefits, too." |
| But the UK government said the drinks industry had raised concerns about the Scottish government's scheme differing from plans in the rest of the UK. | |
| A spokesperson added: "We have listened to these concerns and that is why we have accepted the Scottish government's request for a UK Internal Market (UKIM) exclusion on a temporary and limited basis to ensure the Scottish government's scheme aligns with planned schemes for the rest of the UK. | A spokesperson added: "We have listened to these concerns and that is why we have accepted the Scottish government's request for a UK Internal Market (UKIM) exclusion on a temporary and limited basis to ensure the Scottish government's scheme aligns with planned schemes for the rest of the UK. |
| "Deposit Return Schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system. | "Deposit Return Schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system. |
| "A system with the same rules for the whole UK will increase recycling collection rates and reduce litter - as well as minimise disruption to the drinks industry and ensure simplicity for consumers." | "A system with the same rules for the whole UK will increase recycling collection rates and reduce litter - as well as minimise disruption to the drinks industry and ensure simplicity for consumers." |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Scottish government | Scottish government |
| UK government | UK government |
| Recycling | Recycling |