Drakeford: I’d dispute use of inside markets act for deposit return
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Drakeford stated if the inner markets act is invoked for the aim of eradicating glass from the Scottish deposit return scheme there could be “very serious questions”.
There has been hypothesis that Wales, who had supposed to go forward with their deposit return scheme which incorporates glass, will now not have the ability to do that after the UK Government stepped in to say the Scottish Government couldn’t have glass in theirs.
Mr Drakeford stated he’s “considering the implications” of the choice for the Welsh Government.
It’s an excellent disgrace the UK Government in its English capability did not recognise that as a result of we might have acted as Scotland did, after which they’d have had the understanding and continuity they are saying enterprise wants
He advised the BBC: “We are considering the implications for our scheme, which includes glass and always did.
“It was part of the consultation we held with the NI executive and the UK Government.
“At the moment, glass is in our scheme and that’s the way we expect it to stay.
“We jointly published a document with the UK Government in which they recognised that while they had decided not to include glass, we had and they signed that document with us.
“I would dispute the use of the IMA for these purposes and if they were to invoke it, there would be very serious questions for the UK Government.
“Why so late in the day?
“Why are they doing this now when right up until now they have recognised the fact that we were going to include glass, because that’s what the consultation said we would do?
“The English Government is the outlier here.
“The questions are for them and, of course, we will have to explore that should that be their decision.
“It’s a great shame the UK Government in its English capacity didn’t recognise that because we would have acted as Scotland did, and then they would have had the certainty and continuity they say business needs.”