Richard Lochhead MSP calls out 'postcode lottery' for Moray shoppers this Christmas
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MORAY'S MSP has called on the UK Government to crack down on companies charging high rates for delivery in some parts of Scotland.
Long-time campaigner on the issue SNP MSP Richard Lochhead highlighted a number of examples of the unfair parcel delivery surcharges faced by communities across Scotland over this year, when a significant number of people relied on home delivery rather than shopping in-person.
In one such example, a Moray resident ordering a trampoline from PlumPlay was asked to fork out £149.95 for IV (Elgin) delivery, yet was told that delivery to Rothes would be free.
Another example given was Converse trainers, priced £52 on the official site, costing £15 to be delivered to an IV postcode, but free standard delivery was advertised on orders over £50.
Mr Lochhead branded the situation "a postcode lottery" and called on the UK Government to act now – given the fact that Conservative ministers have so far refused to review the legislation to end the surcharges.
Mr Lochhead said: "These latest examples show just how much that some Scottish households have to pay for the basic ability to shop online during a pandemic.
"The Christmas crunch is undoubtedly felt much more acutely by those forced to fork out when free delivery is routinely advertised.
"This postcode lottery has gone on for far too long – it's time for the UK Government to crack down on this scandalous practice once and for all.
"Over the last year in particular, the pandemic meant many across Scotland chose to do their shopping online – and therefore faced exorbitant delivery charges.
"In my own constituency of Moray, some lorries even drive past homes that pay huge surcharges to get to homes that benefit from free delivery. It's a farce that is ripping off customers.
"Tory ministers have so far only paid lip service on this issue. If this was a problem in their own backyards, tough action would have been introduced long before now."
Research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) showed the annual costs incurred by Scottish adults in areas commonly impacted by parcel delivery surcharges totalled £44.8 million.
