US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
UK government blocked bottle return scheme to give SNP a 'black eye', court told
- Giving evidence on Tuesday, Lorna Slater said Alister Jack had `single-handedly undermined` the scheme using what was effectively a ministerial veto at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
- The plans collapsed in 2023 after a row between the Scottish and UK governments over internal market rules, with Downing Street refusing a glass bottles exclusion unless Scotland conformed to a UK-wide approach.
- Slater said the objection came `at the 11th hour` and UK ministers demanded the Scottish deposit level match a UK scheme despite the UK level being unset, making compliance impossible.
- The collapse has left the UK-wide rollout, with Biffa Waste Services seeking over 166m in damages, and the scheme not expected before October 2027.
- Slater, who stepped down last year, accused Alister Jack of seeing a political opportunity to undermine her credibility because he had effective veto power, which Jack denied, saying he was beholden to protect businesses and consumers.
Insights by Ground AI
6 Articles
6 Articles
Evening Standard+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
UK Government blocked bottle return scheme to give SNP a ‘black eye’, court told
A UK-wide DRS is planned but it is not expected to begin before 2027.
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 40%
C 60%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
