Moray SNP News

SAME OLD STORY FROM LABOUR UK GOVERNMENT ON PARCEL DELIVERY CHARGES

SCOTTISH SHOPPERS IMPACTED NOW FORKING OUT ADDITIONAL £44M ANNUALLY 

Scottish consumers impacted by parcel delivery surcharges was £44 million, a rise of £200,000 compared to 2023.

Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead has expressed disappointment at the Labour UK Government’s response to his calls for them to act on unfair parcel delivery charges.

Mr Lochhead had written to Labour ministers to highlight the need for the UK Government to step in and legislate, following years of inaction from the previous Conservative government, but has criticised the refusal from Labour ministers to acknowledge the unfair practices consumers are experiencing day in, day out.

While the UK Government have advised they will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that consumers are protected and informed, no cast-iron commitment to step in and legislate to end these discriminatory practices has been provided and Mr Lochhead claims shoppers and businesses will continue to be ripped off by couriers and companies slapping eye-watering surcharges on some deliveries.

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) have also revealed that the total additional cost to Scottish consumers impacted by parcel delivery surcharges was £44 million, a rise of £200,000 compared to 2023.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“Like the Tories before, Labour have failed to recognise just how prevalent and significant an issue this is for many people in Moray and across the north of Scotland.

“It is extremely frustrating that the response from the Labour minister implies that competition in the market is the best way to ensure customers benefit but it is clear this is doing little to address the situation, with costs for deliveries to rural areas continuing to rise year on year, and that some businesses and courier companies are happy to force customers in these areas to either pay these excessive fees or go without.

“With research from SPICe highlighting that the additional cost to consumers impacted by parcel delivery surcharges continues to increase, this issue requires much greater attention from the UK Government to address the fact that Scottish consumers and businesses in the north of Scotland are forced to pay more for deliveries simply because of where they live.

“Despite the disappointing response from the UK Government, I will continue to press Labour ministers on this to ensure shoppers in Moray and the north of Scotland receive a fairer and more equitable deal on delivery charges.”