HUMZA Yousaf has called the BBC's framing of the UK's demand that Scotland alter an ambitious recycling scheme "extraordinary".
The First Minister announced that the Scottish Government received a letter on Friday evening from Westminster which "demanded" that glass be excluded from the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
The UK Government said it had accepted the Scottish Government's request for an UK Internal Market Act exclusion, although only on a "temporary and limited basis".
A spokesperson said: "The drinks industry has raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s Deposit Return Scheme differing from plans in the rest of the UK, resulting in the Scottish Government reviewing and pausing their Scheme earlier this year.
"We have listened to these concerns and that is why we have accepted the Scottish Government’s request for a UK Internal Market (UKIM) exclusion on a temporary and limited basis to ensure the Scottish Government’s scheme aligns with planned schemes for the rest of the UK.
“Deposit Return Schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system. A system with the same rules for the whole UK will increase recycling collection rates and reduce litter - as well as minimise disruption to the drinks industry and ensure simplicity for consumers."
A BBC story highlighting the spokesperson's comments was headlined 'UK agrees to Scottish deposit scheme without glass'.
But Humza Yousaf took to Twitter to give his reaction to the way the story was being framed by the BBC.
Extraordinary framing here.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) May 27, 2023
UK Government haven't agreed to DRS scheme, they've refused the Scottish scheme, a vital component of which is inclusion of glass, as per regulations passed by Scottish Parliament.
It's their way or the highway, that's not respecting devolution. https://t.co/pXCSXt1TC5
"Extraordinary framing here," he wrote.
"UK Government haven't agreed to DRS scheme, they've refused the Scottish scheme, a vital component of which is inclusion of glass, as per regulations passed by Scottish Parliament.
"It's their way or the highway, that's not respecting devolution."
The DRS is due to come into place in Scotland in March 2024, with similar schemes planned for the rest of the UK in 2025.
However, glass bottles are not currently included in the schemes planned in England and Northern Ireland
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel