McArthur: DRS is latest victim of governments which stoke division

Following the decision to delay the Deposit Return Scheme until at least October 2025, Scottish Liberal Democrat climate emergency spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has criticised the Scottish and UK governments for "stoking division" and urged Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater to provide reassurances to businesses.  

Speaking after the statement in the Scottish Parliament, Mr McArthur said:  

“Let’s remember that this is but the fourth delay to the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme.

“DRS is just the latest victim of two governments which see political advantage in stoking division and indulging in constitutional spats. Businesses have been caught in the middle, strung along, incurring costs and left to navigate the uncertainty.

“If the minister is committed to collaboration, as she claims, then it is essential that the Scottish Government is open about the mistakes it has made so that they aren’t repeated within the next iteration of this scheme.”