The UK government has rejected First Minister Humza Yousaf’s request for it to rethink its decision to exclude glass from Scotland’s deposit return scheme.
Yousaf wrote to Rishi Sunak warning that the scheme would be in “grave danger” without glass included.
The UK government has replied saying it had given the Scottish government a “practical solution to proceed” with cans and plastic bottles only.
Ministers Michael Gove, Alister Jack, and Thérèse Coffey wrote: “In your letter of 2 June, you note that Scottish businesses may face a competitive disadvantage due to the exclusion of glass from the scheme.
“Interoperability of schemes across the whole UK ensures all manufacturers, whether in Clydebank, Carlisle, Cardiff, or Carrickfergus, have the same access to sell their products across the UK internal market.
“The exclusion of glass also ensures consumer choice is not restricted in Scotland, given the risk that differences in scope would have led to some producers choosing not to supply Scotland through online or physical sales.”
A Scottish cabinet decision on whether to go ahead is expected today (6 June).
