People in the Scottish Highlands are facing a postcode lottery when ordering Christmas gifts online as retailers charge more for delivery to Moray than to Surrey in England.
Research from the SNP found that some companies are charging extra to deliver to Highlands and Islands postcodes – totalling an extra £61 on top of their Christmas shopping.
The party’s research found the following retailers charging extra for delivery on these Christmas gifts:
Hamleys charging £10 extra delivery on Lego Star Wars, free to Surrey.
Gin Box Shop adds £8 to a bottle of SipSmith gin, but free delivery to Surrey.
Converse trainers cost an extra £15 to be delivered to the Highlands but delivery to Surrey is free.
2021 Collins diaries are £11.95 more expensive from Ryman to deliver to the Highlands, but just £3.95 more expensive with delivery to Surrey.
A 2021 calendar from the National Railways Museum costs an extra £4 for express delivery to the Scottish Highlands.
A laptop from Box.co.uk is free to be delivered to Surrey, but £14.95 for delivery to the Highlands
Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) produced a report that found people in Inverness in total paid an extra £7m in delivery charges, with people across Scotland forking out a total of £43m in additional delivery charges.
SNP MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead has led the End Unfair Delivery Charges campaign and has been contacted by constituents who have been charged ridiculous prices to have gifts delivered.
Commenting, Mr Lochhead said:
“Christmas this year will be tough enough for many families without having unfair delivery charges slapped on them as well, piling up the cost of Christmas.
“This year, more than ever, people have relied on online shopping to keep themselves and their families safe, but they should not be penalised because of where they live.
“Since I started my campaign some companies have recognised the unfairness of these charges, but as we can see many still continue to put the people in my constituency of Moray and other areas of the Highlands at a disadvantage by charging these costs.
“I know this has been a difficult year for retailers, but consumers should not be punished as a result and I would urge any businesses who continue to implement these unfair charges to bring them to an end.”
