Chamber and committees

When developing proposals to establish a deposit return scheme, the Scottish Government has been clear about the need to distinguish between the price of products and the proposed deposit level. That is why it is our intention to require that the deposit level be advertised separately from the price of products falling within the scope of the scheme.

The scheme has been designed with the aim of ensuring that at least 90% of deposits paid by consumers will be redeemed and we will work with industry to maximise public participation. The expectation is that redeemed deposits will be used by consumers to offset future purchases, thereby minimising any impact the scheme could have on product choice.

Employment in the low carbon economy is defined by the UK Office of National Statistics (ONS) as full-time equivalent jobs in economic activities that deliver goods and services that generate significantly lower emissions of greenhouse gases; predominantly carbon dioxide. This includes employment in renewable electricity, renewable heat, energy from waste, biomass, nuclear electricity, energy efficient products, low carbon financial and advisory services, low emissions vehicles, infrastructure, fuel cells and energy storage.

Figures are taken from ONS’s Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Survey and are, therefore, subject to the usual statistical caveats around data derived from a sample of employers, and refer to jobs that directly support the low carbon and renewable economy, and estimates of jobs in the supply chain involved in low carbon activities (termed as ‘indirect’).

Figures from 2014 – 2017 are available:

The Crown Office Prosecution Service have advised that there have been no prosecutions for unnecessary suffering under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 relating to the use of electronic training aids since 1 October 2018. Information on the use of the guidance in providing advice to enforcement authorities and dog owners will be gathered during the review of the guidance in autumn 2019.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) purchased the licence for MenuCal from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in March 2016, costing £132,947.25.

Subsequently, FSS, in partnership with the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee, piloted MenuCal with Scottish businesses. The outcomes from the pilot report, have been considered and changes have been made to improve the usability of the tool for businesses in Scotland, costing £12,336. The outcomes from the pilot report can be accessed on the following link: https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/publications/an-evaluation-of-a-pilot-on-the-use-of-menucal-within-small-and-medium-scot . MenuCal is currently being promoted to businesses via the Environmental Health Departments in Local Authorities and the Trail Blaze sites outlined in the Scottish Government’s ‘A healthier future: Scotland's diet and healthy weight delivery plan’ which can be accessed on the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/healthier-future-scotlands-diet-healthy-weight-delivery-plan/pages/2/ .

It is the legal responsibility of food business operators to produce safe food, and that includes having effective procedures in place in relation to allergens. Food businesses are required by law to ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge to produce safe food. Food businesses are expected to have staff capable of providing accurate allergen information to consumers about what is in the food they buy. As a matter of best practice, it is recommended that food business operators consider using a system where staff direct allergen queries to a nominated person to ensure the consistency of allergen information to consumers.

The Scottish Government committed to reviewing the effectiveness of the guidance on dog training aids in preventing welfare compromises due to aversive training methods after 12 months and in light of the experience of enforcement authorities. The Guidance was published in October 2018 and the review has therefore not yet begun.

The Scottish Government has established an Implementation Advisory Group to provide industry advice on the implementation of the deposit return scheme.

The Implementation Advisory Group has established a dedicated Sub-Group to consider the range of existing retail activities and processes which will be affected by the scheme’s introduction.

The Scottish Government will shortly publish a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment offering an analysis of the costs and benefits to business associated with implementation of a deposit return scheme.

The Scottish Government is clear that the desired outcome is that the deposit should not be subject to VAT. Discussions are ongoing with the UK Government to reach a final position on this matter.

The valuation of all non-domestic property is a matter for independent Scottish Assessors and it will be for them to consider the appropriate practice pertaining to the valuation of reverse vending machine sites in accordance with valuation law. The Scottish Government will continue to consider the implications of the scheme on those businesses acting as return points.