Business Minister agrees to meet Douglas Ross to discuss unfair delivery charges in Moray
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BUSINESS Minister Paul Scully will meet with Douglas Ross to discuss unfair delivery charges in Moray.
Moray's MP recently led a debate in the House of Commons on the issue and has welcomed Mr Scully's offer to discuss it further.
Mr Ross said: "It is a welcome step forward that the Business Minister has agreed to meet with me alongside some of the companies who are most responsible for imposing these charges on my constituents.
"The Minister will have been left in no doubt about how widespread and incredibly unfair this practice can be on so many people in Moray."
Latest research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) commissioned by Moray MSP Richard Lochhead estimates that additional costs in areas commonly impacted by delivery surcharges now stands at £45 million.
People in Moray pay an additional £4.4 million for deliveries.
Mr Lochhead labelled the UK Government's response to the debate "profoundly dissapointing but unsurprising" and called for an end to the "unfair" practice.
Mr Lochhead said: "I am inundated with examples of people being ripped off by greedy companies and couriers who are adding whopping big delivery charges onto their order because they have an AB or IV postcode and are able to do so without real consequence because of the lack of regulation.
"It is extremely frustrating that the response from the Tory minister continues to imply 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."
He added: "It is high time this practice was put to an end once and for all. We need a permanent solution put in place that ensures customers and businesses in rural Scotland are treated equally and do not face frankly ridiculous charges for parcel deliveries."
Mr Ross said: "I hope this meeting can be arranged as soon as possible with the companies responsible and every possible measure explored to end these extortionate charges once and for all."