Cole-Hamilton tells FM that DRS is “a moment of real jeopardy”

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP criticised Nicola Sturgeon for ploughing ahead with the botched Deposit Return Scheme and described it as, “a moment of real jeopardy.”

Speaking in the chamber, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“St Andrews Wine Company champions local and small producers. Their mission is to offer interesting and lesser-known brands to their customers.

“Their owner, Peter, estimates that because so few producers have signed up to the DRS scheme, three quarters of his stock will become unavailable. All they will have left is what you could buy in a supermarket.

“A family-run business, thrown under the bus.

“There are thousands more businesses like this. Jobs are on the line. This is causing real harm.

“Fergus Ewing - a loyalist of 50 years - has called it wilful recklessness.

“Her Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, has called it economic carnage.

“Government incompetence is undermining the very case for DRS, something that could massively reduce waste and emissions – but only if it works.

“Presiding Officer, this is a moment of real jeopardy. It can’t wait for the next First Minister because irreversible business decisions are being made right now.

"Nicola Sturgeon calls it opportunism. I call it scrutiny backed up by an avalanche of industrial concerns. 

“If Nicola Sturgeon can halt the chaos of the National Care Service, why can’t she stop this?”